We are reviewing the passenger rolling stock maintenance market to assess whether it is functioning to the benefit of users and funders of the railway.
29 April 2026
We have launched a review into the passenger rolling stock maintenance market. This review supports ORR’s wider objective of securing value for money and ensuring that market arrangements support efficient investment and growth in the rail sector.
Effective maintenance ensures that trains remain safe, reliable and available for service. Our review will focus on the structure of long-term maintenance arrangements, the transparency of maintenance costs and charges, and the extent to which maintenance arrangements are open to competition at renewal. It will also broadly consider the potential remedies available to address any market issues if required.
Invitation to comment
We are inviting views from market participants and other stakeholders on how the rolling stock maintenance market operates in practice. We have published a Statement of Scope. Responses must be sent to us at rollingstock2026@orr.gov.uk by 10 June 2026.
Request for information
In parallel, Requests for Information (RfIs) are being sent to key market participants, including train operators, rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) maintenance providers and relevant third-party maintainers. We are seeking both qualitative and quantitative information on contract structures, maintenance costs, performance incentives, renewal processes and depot access arrangements. Responses to RfIs must be sent to us at rollingstock2026@orr.gov.uk by 27 May 2026.
If you are active in the rolling stock maintenance market and think you should have received a copy of the RfI please contact: rollingstock2026@orr.gov.uk.
We expect the review to be completed in autumn 2026.