Alstom, a global leader in sustainable and intelligent rail mobility, has signed a £66 million (€76 million) Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with South Western Railway (SWR) to deliver ongoing maintenance and performance support for the operator’s new Class 701 Arterio fleet. The four-and-a-half-year agreement covers technical assistance and spare parts provision for a total of 750 Aventra vehicles, including 60 ten-car and 30 five-car trainsets operating on suburban routes from London Waterloo. The partnership will see a dedicated team of around 40 Alstom specialists based at SWR’s Wimbledon Traincare Depot and Network Rail’s Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre (ROC).
Steve Harvey, Services Director, UK & Ireland at Alstom, said “This agreement strengthens our long-standing relationship with South Western Railway. We are proud to continue supporting the Arterio fleet with our technical expertise and predictive maintenance capabilities, ensuring the highest levels of reliability and passenger satisfaction.”
The renewed contract builds on a successful collaboration first established in 2017, underscoring the enduring partnership between Alstom and SWR. Under this agreement, Alstom will supply both heavy and light maintenance spares, ensuring the fleet remains at peak performance. A dedicated engineering team will also focus on data analytics and predictive maintenance, using real-time insights from trains in service to enhance operational reliability and reduce downtime.
James Wale, Head of Fleet Delivery at South Western Railway, commented “The Arterio fleet is transforming daily journeys for our customers with greater comfort, capacity, and efficiency. This new partnership with Alstom ensures we have the technical expertise and maintenance support needed to keep these state-of-the-art trains performing at their best.”
Designed, engineered, and assembled at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane facility in Derby, the Class 701 Arterio fleet marks a major step forward for SWR’s suburban network. The name “Arterio” reflects the fleet’s role in connecting key commuter routes that form the arteries of the network radiating from the capital. Since 2015, Alstom has manufactured more than 2,660 Aventra cars in Derby for customers across the UK—representing the country’s largest domestic train-building programme in a generation.
Mark Swindell, Chief Executive Officer of Rock Rail, owner of the trains, added “The new Class 701 units are already making a positive impact for passengers. We are pleased that Alstom, our trusted long-term partner, will continue to maintain these trains and uphold the service quality our customers expect.”
With a global portfolio encompassing over 35,500 rail vehicles under maintenance, Alstom remains the market leader in rail services, offering tailored solutions that span the entire lifecycle—from technical assistance and spare supply to complete maintenance outsourcing.
