With large numbers of intercity trains on the UK rail network approaching the end of their service life, and additional capacity required to serve increased passenger numbers, the Procuring Authority, the UK Department for Transport, awarded two contracts to supply, finance and maintain a fleet of new trains. Given its scale, the project was split into two parts; one for the Great Western Main Line and one for the East Coast Main Line, with each of the Project Companies (namely Agility Trains West Ltd and Agility Trains East Ltd) being responsible for the trains for one of the main lines. As the two arrangements take the same form, this case study will largely refer to one PPP contract and one Project Company. The UK private train operating companies (the Train Operators) will pay the Project Company to use the trains, subject to performance and availability standards being met.
The electrification of the Great Western Main Line, originally due to be completed by 2015, was delayed, and the Procuring Authority took the decision to increase the number of bi-mode trains (electric plus diesel capability, rather than solely electric) for that particular line and to reschedule delivery.
At the time of writing this case study, almost half of the trains required to operate on the Great Western Main Line had entered into service operation.