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Potentially driverless tube trains unveiled as union suspends strike Potentially driverless tube trains unveiled as union suspends strike
(35 minutes later)
The design for potentially driverless tube trains for London’s deeper lines has been unveiled – but drivers will be aboard for at least a decade, Boris Johnson conceded. The design for potentially driverless tube trains for London’s deeper lines has been unveiled – but drivers will be aboard for at least a decade, Boris Johnson has conceded.
The trains have been a source of contention with unions, after the mayor pledged to tackle strikes in London by removing drivers. But the new trains will have drivers until the early 2020s. The trains have been a source of contention with unions, after the mayor pledged to tackle strikes in London by removing drivers.
The designs were unveiled days before a planned London Underground strike. Workers had been due to walk out for 48 hours next week over ticket office closures but at lunchtime on Thursday the RMT union said the industrial action had been suspended following “substantial progress” in talks.The designs were unveiled days before a planned London Underground strike. Workers had been due to walk out for 48 hours next week over ticket office closures but at lunchtime on Thursday the RMT union said the industrial action had been suspended following “substantial progress” in talks.
The so-called New Tube for London will have air cooling in an attempt to combat stifling summer temperatures on the deep lines, with walk-through carriages and double doors throughout to boost capacity and ease crowding.The so-called New Tube for London will have air cooling in an attempt to combat stifling summer temperatures on the deep lines, with walk-through carriages and double doors throughout to boost capacity and ease crowding.
Johnson said the new trains, with their “slightly sinister, Darth Vaderish look”, would be vital for the continued modernisation of the tube. He said: “They will ferry millions of people across our city, more comfortably, reliably and stylishly than ever before. The New Tube marks a significant step forward in giving Londoners and visitors the accessible and modern transport service that they expect and deserve.”Johnson said the new trains, with their “slightly sinister, Darth Vaderish look”, would be vital for the continued modernisation of the tube. He said: “They will ferry millions of people across our city, more comfortably, reliably and stylishly than ever before. The New Tube marks a significant step forward in giving Londoners and visitors the accessible and modern transport service that they expect and deserve.”
Johnson promised that even after removing drivers, the change would see more tube staff employed overall, as automation would see more trains run and a member of staff remaining on each train. “That’s the way it’s going around the world, in the best metros, but it won’t mean they will be staffless. If you can get more trains through the tunnel, 36 an hour, that’s going to be better service, and in the end more jobs – just different jobs.” Johnson promised that even after removing drivers in the early 2020s, the change would see more tube staff employed overall, as automation would see more trains run and a member of staff remaining on each train. “That’s the way it’s going around the world, in the best metros, but it won’t mean they will be staffless. If you can get more trains through the tunnel, 36 an hour, that’s going to be better service, and in the end more jobs – just different jobs.”
While the new Routemaster has been dubbed the Boris Bus, Johnson said he hoped “a future mayor will be the happy beneficiary” of the new tube design.While the new Routemaster has been dubbed the Boris Bus, Johnson said he hoped “a future mayor will be the happy beneficiary” of the new tube design.
Mike Brown, the managing director of London Underground, said that the trains were being built with total automation in mind, and the driver consoles were for logistical reasons during the phased introduction of new trains. “Any line building now is being built with maximum automation.”Mike Brown, the managing director of London Underground, said that the trains were being built with total automation in mind, and the driver consoles were for logistical reasons during the phased introduction of new trains. “Any line building now is being built with maximum automation.”
He said: “The faster, more frequent and more reliable services it will enable will help us keep pace with London’s growing population. The design respects the past but also looks to the future with the very latest technology.”He said: “The faster, more frequent and more reliable services it will enable will help us keep pace with London’s growing population. The design respects the past but also looks to the future with the very latest technology.”
A contract to build the 250 new trains will be awarded in 2016 – with Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, CAF and Hitachi shortlisted to win a deal worth up to £2.5bn.A contract to build the 250 new trains will be awarded in 2016 – with Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, CAF and Hitachi shortlisted to win a deal worth up to £2.5bn.
The trains will be introduced first on the Piccadilly line in 2022, followed by the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines. Brown said the new trains, allied to new signalling and automation, would raise capacity on the Piccadilly line, which runs across London to Heathrow, by 60%.The trains will be introduced first on the Piccadilly line in 2022, followed by the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines. Brown said the new trains, allied to new signalling and automation, would raise capacity on the Piccadilly line, which runs across London to Heathrow, by 60%.
Air-conditioned trains have been introduced on London Underground’s subsurface lines over the last two years but the deeper, narrower tunnels beneath the capital have posed additional challenges. Air-conditioned trains have been introduced on London Underground’s subsurface lines over the past two years but the deeper, narrower tunnels beneath the capital have posed additional challenges.
Brown said talks were continuing at Acas with the RMT union.Brown said talks were continuing at Acas with the RMT union.