Arriva pledges to start replacing Pacers in 2018
Following its victory in the Northern rail franchise competition, Arriva has signed the contract with Spanish train manufacturer CAF to deliver the network’s new rolling stock to replace the unpopular Pacer trains.
In total there will be 281 new carriages with the first of the new trains delivered by October 2018. The deal will be financed by Eversholt Rail Group.
Arriva promises the new 100mph trains will include air conditioning, audio and visual on-board passenger information systems, power sockets and tables, cycle racks, toilets, digital CCTV systems, and free wifi for passengers.
The franchise was awarded by the Department for Transport in December 2015. From 1 April 2016, Arriva will begin operating the nine-year contract which will see extensive investment in new and refurbished trains, as well as extra services, increased capacity and a variety of station and ticketing improvements.
Arriva was supported through the procurement process by technical consultants, Racon, and legal advisors, Clyde & Co.
Ahh, the Pacer. And it’s sister, the Sprinter. Introduced in the late 1980s I seen to recall as a replacement to the old British Rail DMU.
There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the Pacer, they’ve just overstayed their welcome by about 15 years.
By Ojoo Knowtiss
A train manufacturer goes to the wall in Derby and our money is spent in Spain.Some loyalty wouldn’t go amiss.
By Elephant
We’re not going to the wall in Derby, we have a large contract for Crossrail and another for London Overground. I wish people would do a little research before making unsubstantiated comments. Also, we didn’t even bid for the diesel vehicles.
By Dave Willis
Sorry I thought that the Derby plant was struggling.You are right I should have dine my research.
By Elephant