MONTREAL _ Bombardier Inc. (TSX: BBD.A, Stock Forum) has signed a 10-year deal to provide maintenance and spare parts for 74 four-car trains used on a rail service between London and points to the east.
The contract from National Express is valued at about US$213 million, with a five-year extension option.
A subsidiary of National Express was awarded the Essex Thameside franchise last year by the U.K. Department of Transport.
Bombardier said it will introduce its Automatic Vehicle Inspection System, which is already in use at its Central Rivers service depot in the United Kingdom and the Gautrain Rail service depot in South Africa.
Bombardier says the system helps operators lower costs by reducing component usage and maintenance interventions while increasing usage of the asset.