The Department for Transport has officially began the procurement process for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP), the UK's most significant investment in rolling stock for over 30 years.

The IEP will determine the design of the next generation of intercity trains, which will be introduced across the network from 2014 and can expect to operate for 30 years.

The DfT is expecting to commission between 500 and 2,000 new vehicles, with deployment subject to costs and value. A "pre-series" batch of the trains will be introduced first, to test the new train in an operational environment before production of the full fleet begins. It is likely these pre-series trains will be deployed on the East Coast Main Line from 2012. This has been included in the Invitation to Tender for the new Inter City East Coast franchise.
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Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport, said: "My Department has led the way by specifying what we want to see in the next generation of intercity trains - more seating capacity, improved performance, greater flexibility from our trains and recognition of the importance of being environmentally-friendly. The rail industry and passenger groups have been involved in developing the work to this stage. It is now the rail industry's role to demonstrate what they can do to meet these requirements, and deliver these new trains."