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Class 350 Lease

NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Jul 2026 at 16:42

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process, directed by Northern Trains Limited, involves the award of a contract titled "Class 350 Lease" for the lease of 37 Class 350/2 electric multiple units. This 16-year lease aims to replace the current Class 323 electric multiple unit fleet in the Greater Manchester area. The procurement is in the 'Award' stage with the contract start date set for 17th August 2026. The lease includes options for early termination and sub-leasing provisions. This direct award was made under the UK's procurement regulations, necessitated by the operational needs and timetable of Northern Trains. The central location for this activity is in York, United Kingdom, relevant to the services industry category, specifically within the utilities sector.

This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses involved in the railway industry, particularly those specialising in financial leasing services. Large enterprises capable of providing advanced railway stock that meets specific technical and operational requirements will find this tender highly suitable. The direct award to Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited, a major player in railway leasing, underscores the need for businesses with established infrastructure and expertise in large-scale rolling stock management and leasing capabilities. The ability for other operators to engage in sub-leasing further extends opportunities across various facets of the railway operating sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Class 350 Lease

Notice Description

Intention to direct award a 16-year lease of a fleet of 37 Class 350/2 electric multiple units to replace the current Class 323 electric multiple unit fleet which Northern Trains Limited ("Northern") lease and operate on the Northern Network, primarily in the Greater Manchester area. The lease will include an ability for Northern to break the lease after 8 years (in August 2034) where the rolling stock fails to meet performance targets in respect of reliability and availability. As part of the proposed leasing of the class 350 fleet, Northern have also agreed with the lessor that the lessor will agree to the termination of the lease by the same lessor of a fleet of 34 class 323 electric multiple units early, allowing the class 350 fleet to be substituted for the class 323 fleet without any increase in subsidy required to Northern to enable leasing of the class 350 fleet. The lease makes provision for sub-leasing of the rolling stock to other operators in specified circumstances under the lease, either on a short-term basis (under 48 hours) or on a longer term basis with consent. The lease also permits the assignment, transfer, novation or disposal of all of rights and obligations of the lessee under the lease (a "Transfer") to a public sector company who will also operate the rolling stock on the Northern Network. The lease also contains mechanisms which allow for modification of the rolling stock provided under the lease at the request of either Northern or the lessor, including where this is required by law ("the Modification Provisions"). In the event that the rolling stock is let to a third party, the lease is subject to a Transfer or any of the Modification Provisions are engaged, it is considered that these would be permitted modifications provided for in the contract.

Procurement Information

Due to reducing performance of its current class 323 fleet, Northern requires introduction of a fleet of trains which will continue to meet its operational and capacity requirements to replace that existing fleet for at least its current term. Having carried out a detailed market review, and having consulted with third parties, Northern have identified the proposed class 350 fleet as the only train fleet which meets its technical, operational and capacity requirements for the relevant service provision within the required timeframe. Northern has not identified any reasonable alternative to the leasing of the class 350 fleet, and only the proposed lessor can provide that fleet, Northern intend to direct award on that basis in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 Procurement Act 2023.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c9fb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065810-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66114000 - Financial leasing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£222,022,200 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jul 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Jul 20262 days ago
Contract Period
16 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2042 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Post Town
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PORTERBROOK LEASING

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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