Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate has he made of the difference between the average maintenance cost per kilometre of track to Network Rail of franchises operating (a) dedicated intercity electric trains and (b) bi-mode trains.

The Department assessed the impact of electric and bi-mode trains using track access charges rates determined by the ORR for the current Control Period. The estimate contributed to the assessment that ordering bi-mode trains provides value for money to the taxpayer.