Alstom has signed a four-and-a-half-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with South Western Railway (SWR) to maintain and support the operator’s Class 701 Arterio fleet, valued at GBP 66 million (EUR 76 million).
The new contract will ensure the continued technical support and spare parts supply for the 750 Aventra vehicles – comprising 60 ten-car and 30 five-car units – operating across SWR’s suburban routes from London Waterloo.
A team of around 40 Alstom specialists based at SWR’s Wimbledon Traincare Depot and Network Rail’s Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre (ROC) will provide round-the-clock assistance, building on the successful seven-year partnership between Alstom and SWR that began in 2017.
Continuing a strong partnership
“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 Steven 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.”
Data-driven maintenance and performance
Under the new TSSSA, Alstom will provide both heavy and light maintenance spares, ensuring the Arterio fleet remains in optimal operational condition. A dedicated team of five engineers will focus on data collection and analysis from trains in service to enable predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and improving reliability.
James Wale, Head of Fleet Delivery at South Western Railway, said:
“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.”
Designed and built in Derby
The Class 701 Arterio fleet represents a major upgrade for SWR passengers, offering greater comfort, capacity and energy efficiency. The trains were designed, engineered, manufactured and tested at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, part of the company’s Aventra platform.
The name Arterio reflects the fleet’s role in serving the key suburban “arteries” radiating from the capital. Since 2015, Alstom has produced 2,660 Aventra cars at Derby for operators across the UK, making it the largest domestic train manufacturing programme in a generation.
Mark Swindell, Chief Executive Officer of Rock Rail, which owns the Arterio fleet, added:
“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.”
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