Transport for London (TfL) and Siemens Mobility have unveiled the detailed design of the new generation Tube trains for the Piccadilly line, which will soon be in production to replace the existing 1970s fleet.
94 new trains are set to replace the old Piccadilly line by 2027. Credit: Siemens Mobility
94 new models are set to replace those currently running on the line as they have become increasingly unreliable and expensive to maintain.
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Despite the devastating impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on its finances, TfL is continuing to replace these assets, meaning that from 2025, new spacious "Inspiro London" trains will serve customers on the Piccadilly line, future-proofed to ensure they are suitable for many years to come.
As new trains are introduced to the Piccadilly line, the current fleet will be gradually withdrawn from service and the frequency of trains will rise from 24 to 27 per hour from 2027, the companies claim.
This means there will be a train on service every 135 seconds, representing a 23% increase in peak service capacity.
The new models feature a number of quality-of-life changes from their 50-year-old counterparts, such as wider doors and longer, walk-through, air-conditioned carriages designed for more comfortable journeys.
Better space optimisation allows for a roughly 10% increase in the number of passages, as well as the carriages being lighter overall, which means better energy efficiency and damage to the tracks is mitigated.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “These much-needed new trains will be a great step forward for our city, improving frequency, reliability and capacity on the Piccadilly line. The continued modernisation of the Tube - which has seen a transformation over the last two decades - is a key part of my Transport Strategy to make London a greener, more affordable, more accessible place.
"But we need investment to continue this work. I will keep lobbying the Government to deliver a long-term, viable funding model for TfL, which would enable us to carry out more upgrades to the network’s ageing infrastructure, boost our economy and deliver a green recovery for London and the wider country.”
The production of the trains represents an interesting opportunity for British industry.
50% of the new train fleet will be built in Google, East Yorkshire, leading to 700 new jobs for engineering and manufacturing roles, 250 in the construction phase and 1,700 in the broader supply chain.
Last month Siemens Mobility announced £50 million in related contracts for UK suppliers, including a number for train components.
The order for the trains, pending further investment in signalling, could support up to 25,000 new jobs in the capital.
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Andy Lord, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “The introduction of new, desperately-needed modern and reliable trains on the Piccadilly line, and the capacity they will provide, will be a boost for the capital. We’re pleased that our investment in new trains is helping the UK economy and assisting with the recovery from the pandemic, and we look forward to seeing them on the network in years to come. Sustained long-term investment would enable us to introduce more modern trains over time to replace other ageing fleets alongside new signalling, improving the journeys of millions more Tube customers and reducing the costs of running the Tube.”
William Wilson, CEO of Siemens Mobility Limited, added: “The state-of-the-art trains will transform the Piccadilly line passenger experience. They are lighter, more environmentally-friendly and future-proofed for a long life. But the benefits are not just confined to London. Building the new trains creates new UK jobs and extensive supply chain opportunities. A great example of levelling up in action.”
TfL remains committed to upgrading its network as part of its wider plans to support the UK's recovery. Plans for new Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City line trains remain 'shovel ready' and could quickly be progressed were a long-term funding deal agreed with Government.
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