Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a four-and-a-half-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with South Western Railway (SWR) to support the operation and performance of its new Class 701 Arterio trains.
The £66 million (€76 million) contract will provide 24-hour technical support for 750 Aventra vehicles, comprising 60 ten-car and 30 five-car units operating across suburban routes from London Waterloo. The work will be delivered by a team of almost 40 based at SWR’s Wimbledon Traincare Depot and Network Rail’s Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre (ROC).
“This new agreement with South Western Railway marks a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership. We’re proud to continue supporting the Arterio fleet with our technical expertise and predictive maintenance capabilities,” said Steve Harvey, Services Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
He added: “Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring these Alstom-built trains deliver the highest standards of performance and reliability for fare-paying passengers across London and South West England.”
The new agreement builds on a successful collaboration that began in 2017, reflecting a strong partnership between Alstom and SWR. Under the deal, Alstom will supply both heavy and light maintenance spares to ensure the fleet remains in top condition. A team of engineers will focus on real-time data capture and analysis from trains in service to support predictive maintenance and enhance performance.
“The introduction of the Arterio fleet is transforming journeys for customers on routes across our suburban network with increased capacity and comfort. As we continue the rollout of the fleet, we warmly welcome this new agreement with Alstom, and the technical and maintenance support they will provide over the coming years,” said James Wale, Head of Fleet Delivery at South Western Railway.
Designed, engineered, manufactured and tested at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, the Arterio fleet represents a major upgrade for SWR passengers, offering improved comfort, reliability and efficiency. The name reflects the trains’ operation along the key arterial routes of the suburban network from London. Part of Alstom’s Aventra family, more than 2,660 cars have been produced in Derby for UK customers since 2015, marking one of the largest train manufacturing programmes in a generation.
“The new Class 701 fleet is already making a real difference for the passengers. We are delighted that our long-term partner Alstom, with whom we work very closely, will be continuing to maintain the trains and provide an excellent service to passengers,” said Mark Swindell, Chief Executive Officer at Rock Rail, which owns the trains.
Alstom remains the market leader in rail services, supporting customers throughout the entire asset lifecycle. Its maintenance solutions are tailored to each operator’s needs, from technical support and spares provision to fully outsourced maintenance services. The company maintains over 35,500 vehicles worldwide, providing support for both Alstom and non-Alstom fleets.
Image Credit: Southwestern Railway
