2nd Apr 2009 07:00
The Department for Transport today announced it had signed a Deed of Amendment to its Franchise Agreement with London Eastern Railway Ltd, which trades as National Express East Anglia (NXEA) and is part of National Express Group plc.
This contractual variation will enable NXEA to add 188 carriages to its existing fleet, boosting capacity into London Liverpool Street by providing approximately 11,000 extra seats during the morning three hour peak period by December 2011.
NXEA will lease 120 new Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) carriages, that will built by Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd in Derby. These trains, which have a capital cost of approximately £155m, will be owned by Lloyds TSB General Leasing (No.8) Limited, a subsidiary of Lloyds TSB Bank plc. This is the first time this bank has provided finance for trains. The trains will principally be used on the Stansted Express route, enabling a cascade of rolling stock within the franchise to lengthen other services.
NXEA will also lease 68 Class 321 EMU carriages which are currently in use on the London Midland franchise where they are due to be replaced in July 2009. These carriages will receive an internal refresh.
NXEA will increase car parking space at four stations (Broxbourne, Audley End, Harlow Town and Diss), install two carriage washers and increase its workforce to implement the scheme.
Network Rail will be undertaking infrastructure enhancements to facilitate the changes to NXEA's operations, including platform lengthening, power supply upgrades and two passing loops.
Related Shares:
NEX.L