Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for hybrid trains to begin running on the Midland Mainline.

It will be for the bidders to determine their fleet strategy to meet the requirements of the Invitation to Tender when it is issued. However, these bi-mode trains will improve journeys sooner, without the need for wires and masts on the whole route, and with less disruptive engineering works for passengers. Customers will also benefit from the wider upgrade to the Midland Mainline, which includes line speed improvements to reduce journey times.