More Aventras for the Elizabeth line in London

On 14 June 2024 Alstom has signed a contract worth around 370 million GBP for 10 new nine-car Aventra EMUs for Transport for London’s Elizabeth line, along with associated maintenance. The new trains will be delivered from 2026.

Opened in 2022, the Elizabeth line continues to experience passenger demand ahead of predictions and its current 70-strong fleet of Alstom-built Aventra Class 345 trains would be insufficient to meet demand later this decade and through the 2030s. Like the rest of the fleet, the additional Aventra EMUs will be built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets.

“We are delighted to now have a confirmed workload for Derby Litchurch Lane and our supply chain across the UK.” said Nick Crossfield, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom. “The UK remains one of Alstom’s most important global markets.”

The contract includes new trains which are funded by 220.5 million GBP from the Department for Transport, with Transport for London also contracting for the provision of train maintenance on the units until 2046.