New trains programme update
Publish date
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Merseytravel has confirmed that the phased introduction into service of the new fleet of trains for the Merseyrail network will not begin this year due to ongoing challenges as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We had hoped to be in a position towards the end of this year to give more clarity about when we might start to see our new trains come into service.
“Unfortunately, as there is still so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and what might happen over the next 3 to 6 months we are not able to do so at this time.
“While we appreciate this is disappointing news, we are doing everything we can to put a revised schedule in place”.
During the past 10 months, the pandemic has affected a number of workstreams and disrupted activity including manufacturing, testing and critical European supply chains. This has had a knock-on effect on the rest of the programme.
Despite the challenges, real progress has been made in many areas with train testing on the Merseyrail network now well advanced and power supply upgrades due for completion in the new year.
“Our focus is on driving this project forward and we hope to provide further updates regarding the introduction of the new trains as soon as possible”.