Bombardier Transportation signed two contracts with Transport for London (TfL) to build and maintain 45 four-car new electric multiple units (EMUs).

The first contract is a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement covering the design, manufacture, commissioning and entry into service of 180 new vehicles, and the second is a 35-year Train Services Agreement providing maintenance for the new vehicles.

Together the contracts are valued at approximately $558 million. In addition to the base contracts, the contracts also include an option for up to 24 additional trains and another to extend the maintenance support for five-years.

The new trains will have similar features to the existing London Overground fleet, which are also manufactured by Bombardier, including walk-through carriages, air-conditioning and improved accessibility.

These next-generation AVENTRA trains will feature an innovative design with optimized performance, including reduced weight, energy consumption, maintenance costs and high reliability, providing substantial benefits to both TfL and its passengers traveling on key London Overground routes, including the newly acquired West Anglia Inner Metro Service.

The new trains are expected to enter into passenger service between December 2017 and October 2018.