Financing of rolling stock, spares and special tools by way of operating lease.

Descriptions

Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd (GTR) is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between the Go-Ahead Group and Keolis (a subsidiary of French national rail operator SNCF). In addition to GTR, Govia subsidiaries operate the Southern, London Midland and Southeastern franchises, making it the largest commuter rail group in the UK. The Govia operating companies provide services on rail routes from Birmingham to the south coast including services throughout London. 35 % of all UK passenger rail journeys are taken on Govia trains.GTR is the operator of the Thameslink Southern and Great Northern franchise, which includes the route that runs between Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire and Moorgate Station in the City of London, known as the Moorgate Branch. GTR has a committed obligation in its Franchise Agreement to replace the Class 313 electric multiple units that currently serve the Moorgate Branch. The characteristics of the route mean that these units must be capable of dual voltage operation and have nose-end doors. By way of a separate process, GTR intends to procure 25 x 6-car new fixed formation electric multiple units (the Moorgate Replacement Units) that meet these and other requirements. It also may agree with the preferred supplier of the Moorgate Replacement Units options to purchase additional vehicles (‘Option Units’) of the same unit class.The subject of this notice is the procurement by GTR of operating lease finance for the Moorgate Replacement and Option Units if any (together, the Units) and in both cases associated capital spares and special tools (Associated Equipment). The value of the Associated Equipment is estimated to be 7 % of the aggregate cost of the relevant Units.