Rock Rail ranked number one for Global ESG performance in rail transport

  • Rock Rail

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]GRESB has named Rock Rail as the top-ranked ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Sector Leader in Rail Transport and the overall number one for ESG performance across all sectors. This achievement is attributed to the exceptional performance of Rock Rail East Anglia and Rock Rail Moorgate, both of which received perfect 100/100 scores and 5-star ratings for their rolling stock assets.

 

  • Global Leadership: Rock Rail ranks first among 7 UK and 22 global rail companies for asset investment.
  • ESG Excellence: Rock Rail East Anglia is number one and Rock Rail Moorgate is in the top three among 695 infrastructure asset entrants across all sectors.
  • Consecutive Success: This marks the third consecutive year that Rock Rail’s investments have achieved a 5-star rating, but the first year to top the GRESB global rail rankings.

 

GRESB provides peer benchmarking of ESG management and performance for infrastructure funds and assets worldwide through systematic analysis of data. Its vision is of ‘an investment industry that plays a central role in creating a sustainable world.’ As with previous years, co-investor Abrdn oversaw the GRESB application process.

George Bearfield, Rock Rail’s Director of Health, Safety and Cyber Security, said: “This is a phenomenal result, that has only been achieved through the values that Rock Rail, and its partner investors and customers, put at the heart of their investment strategy and operations. Rock Rail has chosen to focus on decarbonisation of rail transport through the use of electric and bi-mode vehicles, and in doing this to seek to be at the forefront of practice on all Environment, Social and Governance topics, including the management of emerging risks like asset Cyber Security. This result shows how the impact of those efforts is now recognised as best in class globally.”

Mark Swindell, CEO of Rock Rail, added “This recognition solidifies Rock Rail’s position as a global leader in sustainable rail infrastructure, setting a new standard for the industry. We will continue to put ESG at the core of what we do and are already looking beyond the rail sector at Rock Group, such as accelerating the adoption of zero-emission buses.”

 

Rock Rail’s rolling stock assets: Rock Rail East Anglia owns, and leases Greater Anglia’s electric and bi-mode trains manufactured by Stadler. Rock Rail Moorgate provides Siemens 717 Desiro City electric trains to Govia Thameslink Railway.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Driving Net Zero: How Rock Road 
Is Funding the UK’s Bus Transition

Accelerating the shift to clean, affordable, zero-emission transport

Year
2025
Category
Rock Road
Share

The Challenge

The UK bus network is at the heart of everyday travel – but over 30,000 diesel buses still need replacing to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet.

While around 5,000 battery-electric buses are already on the road, the high upfront cost of electric vehicles and depot electrification continues to slow the transition. Traditional funding routes — such as government grants or short-term bank finance – have helped start the journey but cannot support decarbonisation at the scale required.

A new, sustainable funding model was needed: one that could attract long-term capital, spread costs fairly, and give operators and authorities confidence in the future.

The Solution

In 2021, Rock launched Rock Road to deliver exactly that –  applying its proven infrastructure financing approach from the rail sector to the UK’s clean bus revolution.

Working with Aviva, the National Wealth Fund, and HSBC, Rock created a dedicated investment platform that channels infrastructure-style finance from pension funds and institutional investors directly into zero-emission bus projects.

This model provides:
  • Access to billions in long-term private capital for fleets and depot electrification.
  • Low-cost, sustainable finance tailored to public-sector needs.
  • Comprehensive risk transfer, including residual value and battery performance, supported by Rock’s in-house team of engineers and asset managers.

Impact

The platform has already raised £100 million, with capacity to scale to £1 billion per year over the next decade – providing a consistent source of affordable capital for local authorities and operators.

Rock’s model ensures that the total cost of ownership (TCO) of electric buses can now be lower than diesel equivalents, thanks to both cheaper long-term finance and reduced operating costs.

In London, Rock has financed 120 zero-emission buses under 7-year leases aligned with Transport for London’s contract lengths. This structure gives operators flexibility and certainty:

  • Buses can be returned, renewed, or upgraded at the end of term.
  • Lease rates are predictable and capped.
  • Ownership and residual risks sit with Rock, not the operator.

The Future

Rock Road’s ambition is to support the rollout of zero-emission fleets across the UK – helping local authorities and operators meet climate goals without overextending public budgets.

By leveraging limited government funding to attract large-scale private capital – for example, £10 million of public investment unlocking over £250 million in total funding – Rock’s model accelerates decarbonisation while keeping costs low for the public sector.

Our ambition is to make electric buses the default choice - not because of subsidy, but because they are the best economic and environmental option.
Louis Swindell
Commercial Director, Rock Road