Transport for Wales Rail Services (TfW Rail) has awarded Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler a contract to deliver 71 trains.
The contract includes the delivery of 36 three-car CITYLINK tram-trains and 35 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train (FLIRT) units.
Stadler UK sales director Ralf Warwel said: “This order will bolster our presence in Great Britain and we look forward to working with our clients in Wales.
“With its emphasis on battery power, the project puts us at the forefront of cutting edge, green technology, and we are especially proud of that.”
“With its emphasis on battery power, the project puts us at the forefront of cutting edge, green technology, and we are especially proud of that.”
The CITYLINK three-car tram-trains will operate on 25kV electric and battery power.
Out of 35 vehicles, 11 FLIRT units will be diesel-powered and will be used on South Wales Metro services.
The remaining 24 FLIRT trains will be tri-mode, capable of running on electricity, diesel and battery power.
Stadler will deliver seven three-car and 17 four-car tri-mode trains to TfW Rail. Scheduled to start commercial operations in 2023, they will operate to the north of Cardiff using electricity and on diesel to the south.
Transport for Wales Rail Services CEO Kevin Thomas said: “Our journey has begun and we are all absolutely determined to create a transport network that is fit for the future.
“It’s really exciting to know that Cardiff will see the return of a tram operation for the first time in over 70 years, while the tri-modes being built by Stadler will offer an efficient and cost-effective electric drive and battery operation.”
Stadler is working on several other rolling stock delivery contracts in the UK. From this year, 58 new trains will enter service on the Greater Anglia network.
Over the next couple of years, 17 new trains will be introduced on the Glasgow Subway and 52 on Merseyrail.