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.
On 29 April 2026, ORR launched a review of the passenger rolling stock maintenance market in Great Britain to understand how competition is working, the outcomes it produces and whether further action could improve market outcomes.
Interim report: Emerging findings and proposed measures for consultation
29 October 2026
We have published an interim report setting out our emerging findings and proposed measures to improve transparency, competition and value for money.
We are seeking views from industry and other interested parties on our findings and proposed measures, including their effectiveness, practicality and proportionality.
Following this engagement, we intend to publish our final recommendations in March 2027.
Responding to our interim report
We welcome responses from train operators, rolling stock owners, manufacturers, maintenance providers, businesses in the wider supply chain and other interested parties.
- Responses should be sent to: rollingstock2026@orr.gov.uk
- Deadline for responses: 11 December 2026
April 2026 review launch
On 29 April 2026 we 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 invited views from market participants and other stakeholders on how the rolling stock maintenance market operates in practice. We published a Statement of Scope. We asked for responses by 10 June 2026.
Request for information
In parallel, Requests for Information (RfIs) were 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 sought both qualitative and quantitative information on contract structures, maintenance costs, performance incentives, renewal processes and depot access arrangements. We asked for responses to RfIs by 27 May 2026.
We expected the review to be completed in autumn 2026.