According to a statement on Thursday, the train division of the Munich-based technology group, Siemens Mobility, has received four orders with a total volume of at least 670 million euros from the HS2 Rail Systems Alliance, which is to build the 225-kilometer line from London to Birmingham, the country's second largest city. For the first time in a high-speed network, Siemens Mobility is using the automatic train operation (ATO) system, which enables semi-automated operation. Together with the British company Costain, Siemens is also building the traction power supply along the route.
The orders also include maintenance and service contracts, some of which will run for up to 15 years. "HS2 will significantly improve rail travel by providing faster and more reliable journeys for passengers, as well as more capacity for freight," said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility. HS2 is Britain's second high-speed rail line. The first, HS1, connects London with the Channel Tunnel.
(Report by Alexander Hübner, edited by Myria Mildenberger. If you have any questions, please contact our editorial team at berlin.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for politics and the economy) or frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for companies and markets).)