Bombardier to boost UK railways with £1 billion contract

Bombardier has received a £1 billion contract to boost British railways in the biggest investment since Victorian times.

Bombardier is one of the UK's last train manufacturers, and the contract will see it constructing 660 brand new carriages at its Derby facility.

The Department for Transport announced the news as part of a £1.4 billion improvement programme for East Anglian rail passengers. This is one of the biggest orders in history for British-built trains. 

Rail operator Abellio East Anglia will ovesee the project. It has been awarded its own refreshed franchise beginning in October 2016 and extending to 2025.

The franchise is set to include the running of at least four 90-minute Norwich-London trains every weekday, free wifi for passengers on trains and at stations, and new ticket initiatives. 

Bombardier's contract is expected to provide around 1,000 rail sector jobs across the next decade. 

As reported by the BBC, Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, said of the contract: "We are making the biggest investment in the railways since the Victorian era.

"By awarding this franchise to Abellio East Anglia we will improve journeys for people in East Anglia.

"Abellio's decision [to use Bombardier as a supplier] will ensure our train-building industry in Derby remains strong."

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