The Crossrail project reached a major milestone as the procurement process to purchase new trains got underway.

The capital cost of new Crossrail rolling stock and depot facilities is in the region of £1 billion.

A new fleet of 60 trains will deliver Crossrail services, boost London's rail capacity by ten per cent and deliver new journey opportunities and faster journey times.

To deliver Crossrail services to the 37 stations along the route, around 60 new trains will be required, bringing an additional 1.5 million people within a 45 minute commute of London’s key business and leisure districts.

Each train will be will be around 200 metres in length and able to carry up to 1,500 passengers.

Rob Holden, Crossrail Chief Executive, said: "With construction gathering pace it is now time to focus on the trains that will deliver the Crossrail service and transform the experience of commuters and rail users.

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"Crossrail will be a high frequency metro system with up to 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel during the peak. The rolling stock that will operate will need to be high capacity and accommodate the needs of passengers travelling from further afield as well as those joining and alighting in the central area. We aim to benefit from, and build upon, the existing capabilities of the rolling stock industry rather than requiring a wholly new concept or design."

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: "The importance of this project to London and the UK cannot be overstated. With the invitation now being made to companies to build our brand new trains and the Government throwing its full weight behind the project, all signals are showing green for Crossrail."

To ensure value for money, Crossrail's intention is that the new trains are based upon technology already developed by the worldwide rolling stock market for deployment on other railways. A revolutionary new train design is not required.

It is envisaged that new Crossrail rolling stock and depot facilities will be funded by private finance. Arrangement of finance will be required as part of supplier bids. The costs associated with the rolling stock and depot contract are planned to form part of the future cost of operation of Crossrail services.

(CD/GK)