Porterbrook Leasing announces its purchase of 80 class 387 Electrostar vehicles from Bombardier; adding to its recent orders for 256 class 387 vehicles. The vehicles will be built at Bombardier’s Derby site and delivery of the vehicles will commence from October 2016, with full delivery to be taken ahead of June 2017.

Supporting the aspiration of the Department for Transport for the rolling stock market to invest in new vehicles to satisfy increasing capacity requirements in the near and medium term, Porterbrook’s investment decision also embraces the initiative for the Midlands Engine for Growth and supports local skills and manufacturing jobs in the region.

These new trains will help satisfy the future demand for mid-distance electric trains which currently represent approximately 50% of all passenger trains in the UK. They will be required for the lines to be electrified in the near future and they will be used to alleviate higher than forecast passenger growth and overcrowding.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This deal is fantastic news, both for East Midlands’ booming rail industry, and for passengers, who will benefit from more British-built trains on the rail network in the future.

“Introducing more modern, high-quality trains is central to our commitment to give passengers better journeys and boost economic growth, with more than 3,700 extra carriages set to be introduced across the network by the end of 2019. It is great to see the industry leading the way.”

The Electrostars are already widely used across the network within TSGN, Essex Thameside, South Eastern and soon Great Western franchises.

A number of parties have already expressed an interest in leasing this new fleet, notably Rail for London but also established operators and prospective bidders of upcoming franchises.