MTMS seals new deal with train operator Southeastern

UK rail depot maintenance firm MTMS is extending one of its longest-running contracts after signing a new deal with train operator Southeastern. The firm, based in Derbyshire, has maintained the equipment at depots serving the South-East network since 2014.

The work involves the maintenance and renewal of carriage wash plants, toilets and bowsers at 10 depots – Ashford, Dover, Gillingham, Grove Park, Orpington, Ramsgate, Slade Green, St Leonards West Marina, Tonbridge & Victoria.

The depots are home to Southeastern’s 399 trains, which provide 1,700 services each day across a network linking London with communities in Kent and East Sussex. In the year to March 2023 it carried 29.9 million passengers – the fourth-highest in the country – served 180 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

MTM currently services and maintains rolling stock and specialist equipment, and carries out routine infrastructure tasks, at more than a half of the UK’s rail depots. Its central location in Swadlincote helps it serve customers as far afield as Penzance and Aberdeen.

Southeastern mainly operates Class 375 Electrostars, which were made by Bombardier – now Alstom – in Derby, which is 12 miles away from MTMS.

Managing director Matt Forst said: “We’re thrilled to have extended our long association with servicing the equipment at the maintenance depots on the South-East network and are looking forward to continuing to work with Southeastern.

“Our work is vital to supporting the quality of service that Southeastern is able to offer its passengers on what is undoubtedly one of the country’s most high-profile networks.

“We’re also proud to operate within the Midlands rail cluster and it will be a matter of pride to our team that the trains they will be helping to service were built up the road, perhaps even by their friends or members of their family.”

MTMS also works with SouthWestern Railway, Govia ThamesLink Railway, Arriva and Siemens.