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Written question asked by Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. It was answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

East Midlands Railway: Rolling Stock

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to contracts to supply and maintain Class 810 "Aurora" rolling stock for East Midlands Railway on the Midland Main Line, whether Hitachi Rail is required to provide sufficient serviceable trains to meet the timetable commitments of the train operator; and if so, whether (1) Hitachi Rail is required to pay compensation to East Midlands Railway when it fails to do so, (2) this applies for every affected journey, and (3) this includes liquidated damages to compensate for loss to the train operator's business, including losses incurred by refunding passengers for cancellations or service disruption.

Answer

The Class 810 Aurora fleet is being delivered and maintained under contractual arrangements involving East Midlands Railway (EMR), Hitachi Rail and Rock Rail. Those agreements include contractual obligations relating to train availability and performance, together with associated performance and remedy mechanisms where contractual requirements are not met. The detailed terms of those arrangements, including any compensation or liquidated damages provisions, are commercially confidential and are not publicly disclosed.

The Department has been clear to Hitachi Rail that its management of the Class 810 fleet programme has been unacceptable. Delivery of the new Aurora trains to EMR has been significantly delayed, with the first train entering passenger service around three years later than originally planned. The Department expects Hitachi Rail to improve both the rate of fleet introduction and the operational performance of the trains already in service.

Hitachi Rail is also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of EMR’s existing Class 222 Meridian trains, which have experienced significant performance issues this summer. The Department expects Hitachi and EMR to work together to rapidly improve the reliability of these trains.

Alex Hynes, Chief Executive Officer of Department for Transport Operator, meets Hitachi Rail regularly and is pressing the company for urgent improvements to both the delivery pipeline and fleet performance so that EMR can realise the full benefits of the new Aurora fleet. The Department continues to monitor EMR's delivery of services and performance obligations under its National Rail Contract.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2591
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Contracts Compensation Rolling stock Midland main line Hitachi Rail East Midlands Railway
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk