London Underground 2024 Stock
New Tube for London (NTfL) is a programme that would introduce new trains and signalling on several London Underground deep-tube lines between 2025 and 2033. The fully automated trains would increase capacity on the Piccadilly, Central, Waterloo & City and Bakerloo lines. The trains may not have drivers, though ASLEF and the RMT trade unions that represent the drivers strongly oppose this, claiming that such operation would be unsafe.
Deep tube programme
The Deep tube programme (DTP) originally covered the replacement of the trains and signalling on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines, and had been expanded to cover rolling stock requirements arising from the planned Northern line extension to Battersea, the eventual replacement of Central line trains and proposed increased service frequency on the Northern and Jubilee lines. The EVO tube concept design, a lighter articulated train with walk-through cars, was introduced early in 2011.[1] Siemens presented a response in 2011, a design with the weight reduced by 30 tonnes (29.5 long tons; 33.1 short tons) and energy consumption reduced by 17 per cent, thus generating less heat to be dispersed in the tunnels. The trains would have a lower floor and 11 per cent higher passenger capacity than the current tube trains.[2] Siemens presented a mock up of its Inspiro design at The Crystal between October 2013 and January 2014.[3]
New Tube for London
In early 2014 the Bakerloo, Piccadilly, Central and Waterloo & City line rolling stock replacement project was renamed New Tube for London (NTfL) and moved from its feasibility stage to the design and specification stage. The study had shown that, for new generation trains and re-signalling:
- Piccadilly line capacity could be increased by 60% with 33 trains per hour at peak times by 2025.
- Central line capacity increased by 25% with 33 trains per hour at peak times by 2030.
- Waterloo & City line capacity increased by 50% by 2032, after the track at Waterloo station was remodelled.
- Bakerloo line capacity could be increased by 25% with 27 trains per hour at peak times by 2033.
The project is estimated to cost £16.42 billion (£9.86 bn at 2013 prices). A notice was published on 28 February 2014 in the Official Journal of the European Union asking for expressions of interest in building the trains.[4][5] On 9 October 2014 TfL published a shortlist of those (Alstom, Siemens, Hitachi, CAF and Bombardier) who had expressed an interest in supplying 250 trains for between £1.0 billion and £2.5 billion, and on the same day opened an exhibition with a design by PriestmanGoode.[6][7] The fully automated trains may be able to run without drivers,[8] but the ASLEF and RMT trade unions that represent the drivers strongly oppose this, saying it would affect safety.[9] The Invitation to Tender for the trains was issued in January 2016, the specifications for the Piccadilly line infrastructure is expected sometime in 2016,[4][5] and the first train to run on the Piccadilly line in 2023.[10]
See also
- New Routemaster (formerly New Bus for London), flagship bus project for routes served in Central London.
References
- ^ Connor, Piers (January 2013). "Deep tube transformation". Modern Railways. pp. 44–47.
- ^ "Siemens unveils London Underground concept train". Railway Gazette International. London. 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Siemens unveils proposal for future London Underground train". Railway Gazette International. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ^ a b "New Tube for London Programme" (PDF). Board Minutes. Transport for London. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
- ^ a b "New Tube for London Programme". Railway Gazette International. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
- ^ "Design for the 'New Tube for London' revealed" (Press release). TfL. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- ^ "New Tube for London Programme". BBC News. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- ^ "TfL prepares for driverless tube". Railnews. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
- ^ "Driverless Tube trains: Unions vow 'war' over plan". BBC News. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
- ^ "New Tube for London ITT delayed until December 2015".
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