To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail White Paper does not include proposals for controlling the increasing costs of rolling stock leases; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
16 June 2021
Private sector investment in rolling stock will continue. Great British Railways will be able to take a strategic overview while private sector Train Operating Companies will retain responsibility for procuring value from the market in respect of rolling stock to meet service requirements and improve the passenger experience in reliability accessibility and comfort.
The government will take forward work to assess options to ensure reliable delivery and value for money for the taxpayer and users of rolling stock. This work will also consider supply chain sustainability and how to sustain and generate high-value jobs and economic activity.