Procuring new trains: statement from Chair of Public Accounts Committee

The Intercity Express and Thameslink programmes are intended to bring much needed relief to rail passengers by addressing ongoing problems with long term costs, train capacity and reliability.

The programmes required £6.5 billion in initial funding which led the Department to adopt a PFI model as it could not find funding within its existing budgets. I am pleased to learn that whilst completing these deals during difficult financial times, the Department has retained the ability to re-finance at a later date to secure better value for money for the taxpayer. 

I am worried however that the Department accepted a revised bid from its preferred bidder, Agility Trains on the Intercity Express, without first checking whether other providers could deliver a better deal. I would have expected a more considered judgement from the Department given the scale of the project and the amount of money involved.

Further information

• National Audit Office report: Procuring new trains
• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visit Parliament: Select Committees