Merseytravel Permanent Way Institution
2nd March 2017 Mark Cleave – Rail Development The Merseyrail Network - 2017
• A network centred on Liverpool • Northern Line (blue) – Lancashire side of the Mersey • Operated by Merseyrail Electrics • Wirral Line (green) – Wirral side of the Mersey • Operated by Merseyrail Electrics • City Line (red) – Lime Street Main Line – Operated by Northern – Other services by • Trans Pennine to Scarborough and Newcastle • East Midlands to Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich • London Midland to Birmingham • Virgin West Coast to Euston
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The Merseyrail Network - 1909
• Access to the docks was important
• Liverpool & Manchester Railway straight to Wapping (and the south docks) then down to Lime Street (passenger service) and eventually to Riverside (and the north docks)
• Other railways around the back of Liverpool and in to the north docks
• A similar situation on Wirral with lines converging from Chester and Wrexham to Birkenhead Docks
4 The Merseyrail Network - 1972
• Passenger lines still using the historic termini
• Liverpool Exchange for the Northern Line (blue)
• Liverpool Central for the Wirral Line (green)
• Liverpool Lime Street for the City Line (red)
5 The Merseyrail Network – 1972 future
• A network centred on Liverpool city centre
• Northern Line (blue) – the Link Line under construction (underground) - the Cheshire Lines outer loop to be reopened - the lines to the east to be electrified – and the University branch “under construction”
• Wirral Line (green) – the Loop Line under construction and Hamilton Square burrowing junction (both underground)
• City Line (red) – Lime Street Main Line to Runcorn
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The Merseyrail Network - 1977
• The Loop and Link Lines have been built • A network centred on Liverpool city centre for the commuter and shopper • Northern Line (blue) – the Link Line - underground via Moorfields (replacing Liverpool Exchange) to Liverpool Central • Wirral Line (green) – the Loop Line – an underground turn back • City Line (red) – from Liverpool Lime Street M/L
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Merseyrail Electrics
• Self-contained urban network - one of the most intensively used networks in the UK • 75 miles route length, 67 stations • 6.5 miles and 5 stations underground • Electrified at 750V d.c. 3rd rail • Historically Merseyrail Electrics used to be characterised by low investment, unreliable services and dirty trains/stations • In 2003, the management of the operation was transferred from the DfT to Merseytravel • A 25 year concession contract was awarded by Merseytravel to a 50/50 joint venture between Serco and Abellio (Merseyrail Electrics 2002) • Devolution has driven investment and improvement • Steady growth in patronage(2.5% per annum) • Network performance has improved steadily and is now one of the top ranked operators in the UK • Potential for network expansion building on this success • However rolling stock capacity will increasingly become a constraint on growth if no action is taken
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Current Situation and Business Case
• 59 x 3 car units (Class 507/508) built in the late 1970s • Owned by Angel Trains • Relatively low passenger carrying capacity • Fleet refresh programme recently completed • Steady improvement in reliability • Passenger carrying capacity and the age of the fleet are key limitations • Business Case considered a range of options – Do nothing – Continuing refresh – “Mid-life” overhaul – Comprehensive re-engineering – Replacement • Replacement identified as the preferred option • Direct procurement and ownership selected to provide financial efficiency and enable procurement of a fleet tailored to the network’s requirements • Merseytravel and therefore the Liverpool City Region benefits from whole life cycle cost savings • Savings and additional revenues deliver affordability • Possibility of EIB funding identified - £190m now secured
9 UK Comparative Average Fleet Ages
New rolling stock 40 has already been 35 purchased
30
25
20 Age
15
10
5
0
Train Operating Company
Source: National Rail Trends quarterly summary 2015/16 Q4, Office of Rail Regulation (excludes Gatwick Express for which there is no data and Island Line)
10 Programme Benefits
• Undertaking a fleet replacement and associated depot and infrastructure upgrades will provide the following benefits: – Safety improvements, particularly addressing RAIB report into 2011 fatality – Increased passenger carrying capacity (60% increase per unit); – Reduced journey times (up to 10% reduction); – Improved reliability; (11,000 → 49,000 MTIN) – Improved facilities for passengers; – Reduced operating costs; – Reduced maintenance costs – Increased patronage – Enables future growth • An economic assessment of the project has identified that fully delivering these benefits by fleet replacement and infrastructure investment will provide a significant boost to the regional economy (£70m p.a.) and provide the stimulus for significant job creation (1,000 FTEEs) • Provides the foundations of Merseytravel’s Long Term Rail Strategy
11 What Passengers Want…..
• 2013/14 Passenger Focus undertook quantitative and qualitative research • Targeted insight into opinions of existing stock and possible choices for new fleet - built into finalisation of the specification • Confirmed much anecdotal evidence, but some significant, distinctive findings: – Diversity of passenger types with differing expectations – Bay seating popular, but a mix of styles preferred – Open inter-car connections preferred – Better facilities for standing passengers considered essential – Very pro-bike attitude – Intelligent air conditioning – Better passenger information – CCTV – more cameras and visibility of images – Platform train interface a major concern – “That’s OK for London but wouldn’t work here – don’t take all the seats out!” • Translated into a Design Guide which was used alongside the Train Technical Specification during the procurement • Passenger input to continue, working with Transport Focus
12 Integrated Systems Approach
• Infrastructure adaptations to match new stock/timetable • Power supply upgrades – up to 3 new bulk supply Rolling Stock points and associated reinforcement • Regenerative braking and possibly energy recycling
Maintenance Depots • Significant reduction in energy consumption with 60% increase in capacity and reduced journey times Enhanced • Depot modernisation Passenger Experience • Works to accommodate train lengthening • Modern safety and emergency response systems Operations Infrastructure • Accessibility improved for all passengers • Connectivity between train and infrastructure
Connectivity • Comprehensive modernisation of Merseyrail operations • Total cost including new fleet £460m
13 Procurement Process
• Merseytravel led procurement – devolution in action • Bundled procurement for a single, long term supplier, 4 key agreements: – Supply of rolling stock plus full scale driving cab simulator – Maintenance of existing fleet from ~6 months onwards – Depot construction contract – Maintenance of new fleet potentially through full life • Extensive involvement with Merseyrail in development of bespoke contracts and specifications, Network Rail involvement where required • Strong response to initial advert – 5 world leading bidders prequalified • Mandatory, compliant baseline bids, • Bidders additionally encouraged to propose alternatives which offer better value for money and/or meets the objectives by different means • Extensive bidder interaction during all phases of bidding and flexibility in response to bidder suggestions • 60/40 quality/price evaluation with affordability benchmarks at each stage • Quality evaluation against overall programme objectives • Financial evaluation on whole life cost of ownership (35 year NPV model) • Good value for money and optimal risk profile for both parties • Challenging timeframes set and adhered to • Procurement process has delivered the starting point for a long term, collaborative relationship with Stadler
14 Unit Configuration
• 4 car, bi-directional, articulated unit, 65m long • 3 powered Jacobs bogies (2BoBoBo2) • 6 plug sliding doorways per side, 1.3m wide • Multiple operation with end evacuation • 750V 3rd rail with 25kV overhead upgrade capability • 120 km/h top speed, 1.1 m/s acceleration and braking • 1500 kW continuous power output at wheels • Welded Aluminium bodyshell and inner frame bogies → low weight • Class leading power to weight ratio Passenger facilities
Unit layout & capacity
Length: 64.98m Seats: 182 Total capacity: 486 Tare weight: 98.4 t Passenger facilities
Level access
Low floor solution combined with sliding steps creates a safe and comfortable platform-train interface for all passengers Passenger facilities
Universal design
Level entrance across the unit, allocated areas for wheelchairs and bikes, folding seats allowing luggage storage Platform Train Interface
• Current wide range of platform heights and offsets • Nearly 50% curved platforms • Currently poor interface both at doors and along bodyside • Strategy to minimise platform gap – train body customised for our network, – track/platform normalised – Reduced floor height – Intelligent sliding step • Pioneering approach for UK • Enables unassisted access for all passengers at all doors • Sensitive door edges and illuminated portal to substantially mitigate risk of trapping in doors
19 Safety and Security
Platform train interface and safe dispatch of the train – on the platform
Automated and live warnings
CCTV cameras
Visible assistance system
Gap closers
Intelligent sliding steps
Addressing the 3 key issues arising from the James Street accident Safety and Security
Platform train interface and safe dispatch of the train – in the train
Passenger alarm handle
Automated and live warning
Visible assistance system
Sensitive edge doors, etc.
Addressing the 3 key issues arising from the James Street accident Safety and Security
Platform train interface and safe dispatch of the train – in the cab
CCTV cameras
Automated and live warning
Doors operation
Traction interlocking
Emergency brake device
Addressing the 3 key issues arising from the James Street accident Driving Cab
• Asymmetrical layout • Excellent visibility for drivers • Much improved working environment • End detrainment – Cab to cab – Cab to track • Transparent cab partition • Driver Controlled Operation
23 Timeline
Activity Date Business Case Finalised Mid 2015 OJEU Notice Oct 2015 ITN release Jan 2016 Bid return June 2016 Contract award approved End 2016 Maintenance transfer Mid 2017 Infrastructure and depots upgraded 2019 (prior to RS delivery) Rolling Stock delivery 2019 New units into service 2020 Full fleet in service and timetable change 2021
24 Planning For The Future
• Long term strategy - 40 year planning horizon • Requires local knowledge and partnership working with Network Rail, Merseyrail and Stadler • Passenger growth/network expansion → fleet expansion • Potential network expansion to various locations – Extension of 3rd rail? – 25 kV OLE? – No electrification? • Dual voltage capability designed in • On board energy storage for energy recycling – emerging technology • Possibility of IPEMU style operation? • Unit lengthening opportunities designed in • Reconfigurable saloon • ERTMS retrofit • Depot capacity and additional features (OLE test track) • Power supply design to cater for expanded fleet and reduced headways • Increased crowding pressure on key stations analysed
25 Planning For The Future - 2011
• Some ideas to consider – (some may not happen)
• New Stations: – Maghull North – Warrington West • Reopening lines: – Halton Curve – Bootle Branch – North Mersey Branch – St Helens Link – Burscough Curves • New railways: – Skelmersdale Branch
• Long Term Rail Strategy
26 Thank you