UK Regulator Seeks Comments on Proposals to Improve Rolling Stock Maintenance Competition in Great Britain

04:14 AM EDT, 10/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The UK's Office of Rail and Road is inviting comments on its proposals to improve competition in the market for rolling stock maintenance in Great Britain, according to a Thursday notice. In its interim report, the regulator found that competition appears effective when rolling stock is procured alongside its initial maintenance arrangements. However, once fleets enter service, opportunities to switch maintenance providers or models can be limited. The proposed measures include a potential industry code of practice, supported by a standard maintenance reporting framework and clearer, more consistent information in tendering processes. The interested parties can submit their responses by Dec. 11, 2026, while the regulator plans to publish its final recommendations in March 2027.