Request ID: FOI-1441-2324 Date published: 21 August 2023
You asked
Hi,
I have a question regarding the New Tube for London trains built by Siemens under the ‘Inspiro London’ scheme, for deployment on the Piccadilly line due in 2025.
Previous TFL communications have stated that the new trains will be equipped with "air conditioning", however, in a social media post by the Mayor of London, he said that the trains will be equipped with "air cooling", a distinctly different system.
Please see a link to the tweet referencing "air cooling" below:
• https://twitter.com/MayorofLondon/status/1686351270297141248
Can you confirm the following:
1. Do the trains have "air conditioning" (using typical refrigeration and air extraction) and/or "air cooling systems"?
2. Who manufactured the trains' air conditioning and/or air cooling systems?
3. What will the target temperature of the saloons be on the trains?
Example of communications saying the trains will be using ‘air conditioning’ below:
• https://twitter.com/TfL/status/1686270576556396544
We answered
TfL Ref: 1441-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 August 2023 asking for information about the New Tube for London.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions and our replies are as follows:
Do the trains have "air conditioning" (using typical refrigeration and air extraction) and/or "air cooling systems"?
Answer: The system uses vapour-compression refrigeration with temperature control but without the humidity control that is typically provided in buildings. Strictly speaking this is an “air cooling” system, however this type of system is widely referred to as an “air conditioning” system when referring to trains and other mobile applications such as cars.
Q2. Who manufactured the trains' air conditioning and/or air cooling systems? Answer: The air conditioning system is manufactured by Faiveley Transport.
Q3. What will the target temperature of the saloons be on the trains? Answer: Like most modern systems, the target temperature is adjusted depending on the ambient temperature. For example: - At an ambient temperature of 10°C the target temperature is 19°C. - At an ambient temperature of 20°C the target temperature is 22°C. - At an ambient temperature of 30°C the target temperature is 26°C.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
