New Piccadilly line trains promised by the end of this year have now been delayed until 2026.
94 'New Tube for London' (NTFL) trains, designed by Siemens Mobility Ltd, were originally billed to be running on the Tube network last year. This was then pushed back to 2025. Now, TfL says the trains will begin running from "the second half of 2026".
Londonist received a press release from TfL on Friday, explaining that integrating the new trains on a network that's over 100 years old has proved "more complex than expected". Says TfL:
As a result, the start of a rigorous programme of testing the interactions with the infrastructure and systems has had to be rescheduled. Siemens Mobility and TfL have been working together to address these issues, which will allow testing to start in the summer. All mitigations or design alterations will be incorporated into all future trains.
Once testing starts, enough time is needed to fully test the complex interactions between the new train and some of the oldest infrastructure on the Tube to ensure the trains are safe and reliable for passengers... it is expected that there will need to be time to address any issues identified. This is to make sure the train is safe and reliable for passengers. Without the testing of the train and infrastructure together in London, this work cannot start.
The Standard claims TfL has decided to go public with this news, after the publication learned of the delays earlier this week.
The extra hold-up feels a particular blow given the heatwave London is currently experiencing; the new trains will be the first on the deep level Tube network (i.e. lines that were tunnelled rather than created using the 'cut and cover' method) to feature air conditioning — a commodity that's fast becoming an essential, rather than a luxury.
Says Stuart Harvey, TfL's Chief Capital Officer: "It will obviously be disappointing for customers that they will have to wait a bit longer for the new trains, and I regret that. But I would like to assure Londoners and visitors to our city that we are working extremely closely with Siemens to ensure that the new trains can be introduced as soon as possible in the second half of next year."
