Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
ScotRail Trains Limited
Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo Street
Glasgow
G2 6HQ
Telephone
+44 3448110141
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30589
one.6) Main activity
Railway services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Class 170 Rolling Stock Lease
Reference number
SR-PACT-PROJ-0238
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
This notice concerns a modification to an existing lease (the Lease) procured whilst ScotRail was under the Abellio franchise ownership, between ScotRail Trains Limited (SRT) and Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited (Porterbrook) for 102 Class 170 vehicles (the Fleet).
The Lease is currently scheduled to expire on 31 March 2030 and a 10-year extension has been agreed to the Lease for the same scope of supplies, with an additional option to extend for up to a further 2 years. The value of that extension (inclusive of options) is GBP 265,700,000 excluding VAT.
This extension is necessary to ensure SRT is able to discharge its obligations and continue to deliver vital services while the suburban and rural new fleet procurements are commenced and is therefore an interim solution until the new fleet can be procured, built and commissioned for passenger service.
An interior refurbishment will be undertaken to the Fleet to ensure it can continue to operate for passenger service for the duration of the extension.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £421,700,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Lease is being modified in accordance with regulation 86(1)(b) of the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016 as additional supplies not included within the original procurement have become necessary, and a change of contractor cannot be made for economic or technical reasons and would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of cost for SRT, because:
1. The modification has become necessary: there is a need to secure the ongoing operation of the Lease, which includes lifeline services in rural and east suburban areas, while SRT carries out a full procurement for an enduring rolling stock solution using emerging technologies (including batteries and network electrification). Diesel trains are the only feasible option for this interim period.
2. A change of contractor cannot be made for economic or technical reasons: this is because:
a. the Fleet has specific characteristics and technical features that are designed to interoperate with the rail infrastructure and SRT’s other fleets and are required for operation on the East Suburban Lines. For example:
i. the Fleet is the only available DMU passenger stock which is fully accepted for operation on these lines and is able to make use of differential speed limits to meet the required journey times;
ii. the Fleet has been fitted with Variable Rate Sanding Equipment, funded by the Scottish Targeted Performance Fund, to offer improved braking performance in low adhesion environments and support SRT’s safety case;
iii. the Fleet is able to maintain technical compatibility with the network (including the CL158 fleet with which it is required to operate interchangeably) and depots, ensuring SRT satisfies the operational requirements stipulated in its Grant Agreement with Scottish Ministers.
iv. any alternative Fleet would require an extensive programme of train crew and engineering staff training, incurring significant training which would create significant additional (and disproportionate) training workload at a time when SRT is already engaged in an intensive programme of recruitment for future fleet cascades and new trains;
v. Please note there is a Section 54 Agreement currently in place until 2035. An extension to the Section 54 agreement is being finalised in relation to the Fleet, and SRT expects that agreement to be in place for the full duration of the lease and options.
b. SRT’s analysis has confirmed that there are no alternative available fleets (other than the CL158s that SRT already operates) that contain the necessary technical features and could meet these requirements.
In the event that an alternative existing fleet with suitable performance and technical characteristics was available (which in SRT’s view is not the case), and that fleet could be adapted to accommodate the necessary technical features, this would result in substantial duplication of cost, significant inconvenience and extra time out of service, which would be disproportionate in the context of an interim solution
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
As per Section II.1.4, there is an option to extend for up to a further 2 years.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
Please refer to II.2.4 for the Description of the procurement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
SR-PACT-PROJ-0238
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 January 2026
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Porterbrook
8th Floor, Lynton House, Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9LT
Telephone
+44 7929050934
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £265,700,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Short description of the part of the contract to be subcontracted
Supply/overhaul of the rafts to Wabtec UK Limited
C6/C5P/C8/C10 works to Brodie Engineering Limited
Bogies/Wheels and C4 kits to Alstom Transport UK Limited
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Please note the value provided at II.1.7 represents the total value of the lease from the point of transfer to ScotRail Trains Limited in 2022.
(SC Ref:820071)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
Country
United Kingdom