Work to resolve MML stock shortage

Rail Minister Nusrat Ghani says the Government is working with East Midlands Trains on finding a solution to meet the potential shortage in rolling stock on the Midland Main Line from December 31 2019.

She was replying to a Commons Written Question from Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald, who had asked about the situation whereby 12 High Speed Trains are currently unable to operate after December 31 next year due to Persons with Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM-TSI) legislation.

With replacement bi-mode trains not due to enter traffic until 2022, that leaves a hiatus of two years where a shortage of rolling stock must be addressed.

Replying on March 26, Ghani said the final decision for stock lay with Government.

She wrote: “The incumbent operator is working with rolling stock companies to develop different solutions to achieve compliance. Once the industry has developed a preferred solution, it will be considered by the Department, but no decisions have yet been taken.”

RAIL revealed that rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook estimates the modification for its nine HSTs would be around £50 million, but that the stock would not be ready in time for the deadline ( RAIL 849).

A further three HSTs are owned by Angel Trains. These will also require modifications including slide or plug doors, passenger information systems, and work to make them fully accessible to enable them to operate in the next decade.