HS2 Ltd is inviting firms POMA S.A.S, and Doppelmayr Cable Car UK Limited for bids to maintain and operate the new mass transit system at Interchange station in Solihull.
The winner of the shortlisted companies will work with HS2 Ltd to deliver the Automated People Mover (APM) and maintain its cable system operation for a 25-year period through two contracts.
The UK division of Austrian Doppelmayr Cable Car – specialists in People Mover technology - completed the London Luton Airport Direct Air-to-Rail Transit (Luton DART) system in 2023. Meanwhile, French ropeway transport company POMA S.A.S specialises in rope-operated systems around the globe.
Besides Luton, similar APM systems in use at UK airports include: Birmingham, Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow Terminal 5.
Contract scope
HS2’s first contract includes the design, supply, integration, installation, testing and commissioning of the APM system up to its delivery into service, while the second is for its operation and wider asset management, subject to break rights.
The supply and installation contract which covers the vehicles and APM systems is estimated to cost up to £65M at 2024 prices. This will cover platform screen doors, vehicle control system, traction power supply, vehicle guidance system, vehicle traction and braking system and the systems/equipment and tools necessary for maintenance of the APM systems.
Meanwhile, the service contract for the complete system during a 25-year operating concession is estimated to cost up to £204M at 2024 prices.
Network design
The APM network has four planned stops connecting HS2’s Interchange station, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham International station, and Birmingham Airport, enabling it to reliably serve international and national visitors, commuters, and the leisure market.
Deemed a vital component of HS2, the APM should accommodate a minimum of 2,100 people per hour in each direction, with future capacity provision for 3,900 people.
HS2 says that ‘passengers can look forward to an accessible and environmentally friendly ride, with an end to end journey time of just six minutes.’
Bridging infrastructure
The APM will be built on a viaduct to minimise impacts to the M42 and West Coast Main Line. Piers ranging in height from six to 14 metres will be supported by a series of structural columns that repeat at nominal spans of 40 metres. The columns range in type to accommodate the APM’s varying single track, twin track and split track infrastructure. A maintenance facility will also be built on site, adjacent to HS2’s Interchange station.
Solihull’s planned Interchange station is part of plans for the £3.2bn Arden Cross mixed-use commercial and residential destination, expected to support up to 27,000 jobs, deliver up to 3,000 homes and 557,500 m2 of commercial space.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council says its wider UK Central Hub area, will bring 1.3M people in the region to within a 45-minute public transport commute of the station.
Market engagement for the design and build contract for the APM’s infrastructure is due to start later this year. The procurement for this work, starting with the pre-qualification of potential tenderers, is due to be released in the second quarter of 2025.
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