Vivarail stated that it planned to pitch the converted trains to a number of train operating companies (TOCs), especially those bidding for the Northern franchise which was awarded in December 2015.
The company has positioned the D-Train as being a cost-effective alternative to buying brand new rolling stock, enabling TOCs to replace the Pacer railbuses in the north of England with upcycled Underground stock.
However, Arriva won the bidding for the Northern franchise in December 2015 and its rolling stock plan involves purchasing brand new stock as well as taking on additional cascaded four-car EMUs.

According to BBC Look East, Vivarail was in talks with bidders for the East Anglia franchise.
While the East Anglia franchise includes some very rural routes where currently only single carriage trains are used, the successful bidder opted for new stock instead.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from the Rail Maritime and Transport Union as being a scheme to provide "second-hand" trains to the region instead of new stock.
Vivarail stated that it planned to pitch the converted trains to a number of train operating companies (TOCs), especially those bidding for the Northern franchise which was awarded in December 2015. The company has positioned the D-Train as being a cost-effective alternative to buying brand new rolling stock, enabling TOCs to replace the Pacer railbuses in the north of England with upcycled Underground stock. However, Arriva won the bidding for the Northern franchise in December 2015 and its rolling stock plan involves purchasing brand new stock as well as taking on additional cascaded four-car EMUs.
According to BBC Look East, Vivarail was in talks with bidders for the East Anglia franchise. While the East Anglia franchise includes some very rural routes where currently only single carriage trains are used, the successful bidder opted for new stock instead. However, the proposal has drawn criticism from the Rail Maritime and Transport Union as being a scheme to provide "second-hand" trains to the region instead of new stock.
British Rail Class 230