LONDON - A BRITISH-LED consortium has won a 7.5 billion pounds (S$16 billion) contract to build new passenger trains, a deal the government says would secure 12,500 jobs.
The contract was awarded to Agility Trains, which brought together Hitachi, Barclays Private Equity and John Laing Projects and Developments.
Agility's bid trumped one by the ERA consortium, which included Bombardier and Siemens, leasing firm Angel Trains and financiers Babcock & Brown.
The fleet of 'super express' trains, which are to enter service beginning in 2013, will replace equipment up to 30 years old on the Great Western and East Coast main lines.
Agility intends to build a new manufacturing facility.
'This announcement demonstrates that this Government is prepared to invest, even in difficult economic times, by improving our national infrastructure,' said Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon. -- AP
