Just seen this on goingloco :
The Department for Transport has begun consultation on the plans for the next South Central franchise. Alongside the consultation document the DFT have invited expressions of interest in bidding for the franchise. The new franchise will begin on September 20th 2009. The main feature of the new franchise will be the merging of the current Gatwick Express and Southern franchises as well as gaining the Redhill - Tonbridge line. The new franchise will last for 5 years and 10 months.
The new franchise will be split into 5 different sections:
- Brighton Main Line and Gatwick services.
- London Suburban.
- Horsham, Uckfield, Tonbridge, Redhill and East Grinstead.
- Coastway.
- West London Line.
The franchise will take over the following rolling stock:
- 16 class 171 Turbostar DMUs.
- 182 class 377 Electrostar EMUs.
- 17 class 442 EMUs.
- 46 class 455 EMUs.
- 24 class 456 EMUs.
- 8 class 460 EMUs.
The objectives of the franchise have been defined as developing services to account for the expected growth in passenger numbers and attempt to ease overcrowding whilst achieving value for money for the taxpayer. A major part will be meeting the RUS for the Brighton Main Line, including working with the development of Thameslink services and the East London Line project. The franchisee will also be expected to improve the punctuality on the services. The other major issue will be improving accessibility for disabled travellers.
The Thameslink upgrade will impact upon the South Central franchise since the number of terminating platforms at London Bridge from 2011. To offer the same amount of capacity into London it is intended that Victoria - London Bridge via Denmark Hill services be withdrawn and that East Grinstead/Uckfield line trains have more capacity.
The HLOS specified increased length of trains on inner suburban services, with Network Rail carrying out a program of platform extensions. 10 car trains should be used on services into Victoria via Norbury, Gipsy Hill and Hackbridge to provide greater capacity from 2011. From 2012 this would include the Sydenham branch into London Bridge. It is also expected that 12 car trains will run on the East Grinstead route.
Changes to services into London Bridge will also be required in association with the East London Line project. Some stations currently operated by Southern would transfer to Transport for London operation when the ELL extension was opened.
Other schemes that will apply to the franchise are the redevelopment of East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Clapham Junction and London Victoria stations.
Service changes likely to occur are as follows:
- When the franchisee takes over the Gatwick Express operation will 6 trains in each peak that currently run to Gatwick will be extended to/from Brighton.
- There will be major changes to services into London Bridge from the commencement of SLC2 in 2010/11.
- London Bridge to London Victoria via Peckham Rye services will be withdrawn. This will be compensated for by an enhanced Southeastern service.
- Improved Sunday services on suburban lines.
- The hourly London Bridge to Horsham service will begin to run half hourly.
- Brighton to Southampton services to run on Sundays.
- The West London Line trains will run to Milton Keynes from Croydon on an hourly basis, and half hourly from Kensington Olympia.
As well as this potential developments that may occur during the franchise and should be planned for include the reopening of the Lewes - Uckfield branch, the reopening of the Tunbridge Wells - Eridge branch, possible new stations and a possible extension to Croydon Tramlink.
From Goingloco.
The Department for Transport has begun consultation on the plans for the next South Central franchise. Alongside the consultation document the DFT have invited expressions of interest in bidding for the franchise. The new franchise will begin on September 20th 2009. The main feature of the new franchise will be the merging of the current Gatwick Express and Southern franchises as well as gaining the Redhill - Tonbridge line. The new franchise will last for 5 years and 10 months.
The new franchise will be split into 5 different sections:
- Brighton Main Line and Gatwick services.
- London Suburban.
- Horsham, Uckfield, Tonbridge, Redhill and East Grinstead.
- Coastway.
- West London Line.
The franchise will take over the following rolling stock:
- 16 class 171 Turbostar DMUs.
- 182 class 377 Electrostar EMUs.
- 17 class 442 EMUs.
- 46 class 455 EMUs.
- 24 class 456 EMUs.
- 8 class 460 EMUs.
The objectives of the franchise have been defined as developing services to account for the expected growth in passenger numbers and attempt to ease overcrowding whilst achieving value for money for the taxpayer. A major part will be meeting the RUS for the Brighton Main Line, including working with the development of Thameslink services and the East London Line project. The franchisee will also be expected to improve the punctuality on the services. The other major issue will be improving accessibility for disabled travellers.
The Thameslink upgrade will impact upon the South Central franchise since the number of terminating platforms at London Bridge from 2011. To offer the same amount of capacity into London it is intended that Victoria - London Bridge via Denmark Hill services be withdrawn and that East Grinstead/Uckfield line trains have more capacity.
The HLOS specified increased length of trains on inner suburban services, with Network Rail carrying out a program of platform extensions. 10 car trains should be used on services into Victoria via Norbury, Gipsy Hill and Hackbridge to provide greater capacity from 2011. From 2012 this would include the Sydenham branch into London Bridge. It is also expected that 12 car trains will run on the East Grinstead route.
Changes to services into London Bridge will also be required in association with the East London Line project. Some stations currently operated by Southern would transfer to Transport for London operation when the ELL extension was opened.
Other schemes that will apply to the franchise are the redevelopment of East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Clapham Junction and London Victoria stations.
Service changes likely to occur are as follows:
- When the franchisee takes over the Gatwick Express operation will 6 trains in each peak that currently run to Gatwick will be extended to/from Brighton.
- There will be major changes to services into London Bridge from the commencement of SLC2 in 2010/11.
- London Bridge to London Victoria via Peckham Rye services will be withdrawn. This will be compensated for by an enhanced Southeastern service.
- Improved Sunday services on suburban lines.
- The hourly London Bridge to Horsham service will begin to run half hourly.
- Brighton to Southampton services to run on Sundays.
- The West London Line trains will run to Milton Keynes from Croydon on an hourly basis, and half hourly from Kensington Olympia.
As well as this potential developments that may occur during the franchise and should be planned for include the reopening of the Lewes - Uckfield branch, the reopening of the Tunbridge Wells - Eridge branch, possible new stations and a possible extension to Croydon Tramlink.
From Goingloco.
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