18 June 2008
New communications system for Subway
Airwave Solutions Ltd to install Subway tunnel radio system.
SPT has awarded a £2.35m contract for a new state of the art Subway communications system to Airwave Solutions Ltd.
Airwave will install a digital tunnel radio system and maintain it over the next seven years.
SPT Chief Executive Ron Culley (pictured left) and John Lewis (right), General Manager for Fire and Civil Resilience at Airwave, signed the agreement on Wednesday, following approval last week.
The contract will see Airwave design and implement TETRA communications coverage throughout Subway trains, tunnels and stations, together with the provision of the Airwave Service for essential Subway personnel and emergency services.
Gordon Maclennan, Assistant Chief Executive Operations at SPT, said: "As part of our continued investment in the Subway’s modernisation, we recently carried out a full appraisal for replacing the existing underground radio system, and bringing it up to 21st Century standards.
"Airwave’s TETRA digital system is considered one of the best in the industry and is far superior to analogue. It is also currently used by the police, including British Transport Police and we understand it is due to be adopted by other emergency systems soon, making it an essential contribution to SPT’s emergency planning and improving the safety of our Subway passengers."
The existing Subway communications system has been in use since 1993.
Part of SPT’s ongoing transformation of the Subway included the need for improved technical communications underground and a full appraisal recommended the Airwave system.
The contract will be set in place using a framework agreement set up by the Office of Government Commerce and will be for seven years to 2015.
Direct communications
The infrastructure necessary to support the installation of Airwave coverage in the Subway will facilitate SPT’s ambition of having train mobile phones and improved information services in the tunnels.
The technology will enable direct communications from SPT’s Subway Control room directly to Subway trains.
The proposals will also allow control room communication consoles, modified train mobile radios and handheld radios to be replaced, making way for a faster, more efficient and more secure operational communications system.
Mr Lewis said: "This contract win highlights both the importance SPT places on the safety of its passengers and the confidence it has in Airwave to help it deliver on its duty of customer care.
"With our wealth of experience in providing public safety communications solutions, we anticipate being able to add real value to SPT’s radio requirements and look forward to working with them in future."
Notes to editors
- £2.35m represents the initial capital cost and ongoing annual service provision cost of £278,000 from 2009 to be implemented in Subway trains, tunnels and stations. Provision of the Airwave service will also enable SPT Subway staff to have a more robust communications system and allow the emergency services to have direct connectivity underground.
- This contract award is part of an £8m investment programme for Glasgow's Subway within the current financial year.