Bombardier wins Global AirRail Supplier of the Year for London Stansted Airport link
Above: (from left) Milda Manomaityte, Editor in Chief of airrail NEWS; Chris Clarke, Director of RE:SYSTEMS, the headline sponsors; Kristin Thorslund, Executive Bids Director Rolling Stock UK, Bombardier Transportation; Dave Wilkinson, Project Manager, Bombardier Transportation.
The judges praised Bombardier for its partnership approach with the operator National Express East Anglia (NXEA) to replace its old rolling stock with cutting edge Class 379 trains on the Stansted Express rail link between London Liverpool Street station and Stansted Airport. The airport is an important transport hub for the city in 2012, with the new fleet of four-car trains that currently operate in the formation of eight-car trains enabling a 15 minute frequency in operation.
The first new train was introduced onto the network in March 2011. Bombardier in partnership with National Express upgraded its market leading BOMBARDIER ELECTROSTAR train to include some of the most technologically advanced rail vehicle features in the UK. Built at Bombardier’s UK manufacturing site in Derby - and serviced at Ilford depot - the Class 379 vehicles (above) provide unique improvements for passengers, drivers and operators including a best-in-class lightweight build to reduce energy consumption, driver monitoring of every door during station stops to ensure passenger safety, and advance warning of faults and potential service failures.
A wireless communications link shares real time information between the train and control room about passenger volumes, systems performance and closed-circuit television. It also updates the passenger information screens and provides automatic passenger seat reservation as well as Wi-Fi internet access at every seat.
Mark Phillips, Rail Development Operations Director for National Express, said: “This project is a great example of what the rail industry can achieve by working in close collaboration, with the result a significant improvement for passengers, delivered on time and on budget. I’m immensely proud that National Express’ contribution has been recognised by this prestigious award.”
Paul Roberts, President, Services UK and Chief Country Representative, UK and Ireland, Bombardier Transportation, said: “We’re honoured to be recognised for our technological edge in the UK rail market by this prestigious award. Not only do we build some of the most advanced rail vehicles for the UK in the UK, we also guarantee operators class-leading performance through our fleet maintenance services.”
The Class 379 trains’ current performance is such that on average each train would circumnavigate the world more than twice before encountering a technical failure. The target availability of 90% has been met consistently.
The seamless integration of air and rail at airports like Stansted (above) is helping to reduce the environmental footprint of transportation, attracting more travellers away from roads and onto rail. By offering the latest solutions in passenger comfort and high speed, intermodal public transport can cut emissions on short to middle distance routes. Rail technology also increases transport efficiency by alleviating congestion at busy airports and in city centres.
