New South Western franchise: Awarded to First/MTR

[TEW]

A crazy idea for the "increase of seating" on the 159s, reduce the size of the 1st Class area

That would be quite an easy way to increase seating capacity you'd think, the 159s have quite a sizeable First Class section at present. It looks very likely the Reading route will lose First Class entirely so it seems a reduction/removal of First Class is definitely an option First/MTR consider acceptable.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

How well used is the 1st class on the Exeter-Waterloo route?

 

[superalbs]

How well used is the 1st class on the Exeter-Waterloo route?

On my two regular trains on that line, it's very well used, seems near full at times.

 

[Goldfish62]

No the CMA investigate every franchise award, nothing to see here... First MTR​ will be asked to comply with the findings of their report, for instance by capping fare rises on a certain flow but it won't affect the start of the franchise, it never does.

Indeed. Reading some of the posts on this thread you'd be forgiven for thinking this was the first time a franchise has changed hands.

 

[yorksrob]

How well used is the 1st class on the Exeter-Waterloo route?

It was busy when I used it. Although the seats weren't as comfortable as those in standard.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Have they confirmed what their trading name will be? Just looked up lswr . com and it looks like the domain is up for sale, if they were going to trade under lwsr I would have expected them to have bought the domain by now

 

[embers25]

It was busy when I used it. Although the seats weren't as comfortable as those in standard.

First is usually very busy at most times of day, due in part to cheap advances. People often book First in the theory that, as you don't get an actual seat when reserving, you have more chance of getting one in First. However, they are definitely less comfortable as they don't appear to have been refurbed but you do get a power point at some (not all) tables and a free coffee and biscuit in peak.

 

[MartinB1]

Indeed. Reading some of the posts on this thread you'd be forgiven for thinking this was the first time a franchise has changed hands.

Not everyone is going to know how it works. Plus I have only been working on the railway for 6 years, and as far as I know this is the first time swt has changed hands. So forgive me for wondering how it works!!! If everyone was a know it all such as yourself then there would be no need for forums.

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

 

[pompeyfan]

First is usually very busy at most times of day, due in part to cheap advances. People often book First in the theory that, as you don't get an actual seat when reserving, you have more chance of getting one in First. However, they are definitely less comfortable as they don't appear to have been refurbed but you do get a power point at some (not all) tables and a free coffee and biscuit in peak.

Do you need Med screening? Personally think the seats in first on the 158/159 are the most comfortable train seats I've ever travelled in.

 

[Suraggu]

It was busy when I used it. Although the seats weren't as comfortable as those in standard.

Wow you really are obsessed with the Standard seats. You would happily sacrifice legroom and seat width just to sit in standard?

 

[Firesprite]

Have they confirmed what their trading name will be? Just looked up lswr . com and it looks like the domain is up for sale, if they were going to trade under lwsr I would have expected them to have bought the domain by now

Looking at the First Group Website, From the information display, it would imply that the name 'South Western Railway' is going to be used. http://http://www.firstgroupplc.com/about-firstgroup/uk-rail/improving-south-western-railway.aspx

 

[yorksrob]

Wow you really are obsessed with the Standard seats. You would happily sacrifice legroom and seat width just to sit in standard?

Well I've tried them both and the last time I chose standard. I was perfectly happy with the seat width, and the only thing that would make me think twice about booking it again, was the uncomfortable level of crowding all the way through to Exeter (see previous posts).

 

[swt_passenger]

Looking at the First Group Website, From the information display, it would imply that the name 'South Western Railway' is going to be used.

I agree - the only other obvious name (that could be derived from the operating company name given in DfT's announcement), would be the middle part of "First MTR South Western Trains Limited", which is probably far too similar to the current name for use on the train sides...

 

[yorksrob]

First is usually very busy at most times of day, due in part to cheap advances. People often book First in the theory that, as you don't get an actual seat when reserving, you have more chance of getting one in First. However, they are definitely less comfortable as they don't appear to have been refurbed but you do get a power point at some (not all) tables and a free coffee and biscuit in peak.

I assumed the 1st class ones were newer than the standard. They were a bit hard for my taste.

 

[Kite159]

Probably not as hard as the memory foam seats on the 159/1s

 

[yorksrob]

Probably not as hard as the memory foam seats on the 159/1s

I think the ones I like probably have springs in them.

 

[Suraggu]

Industry insider sources have firm belief either Siemens or Bombardier will have won the order for the new 750 carriages for First MTR South Western. All will need to be delivered and accepted into service by December 2020 timetable change.

 

[3141]

Industry insider sources have firm belief either Siemens or Bombardier will have won the order for the new 750 carriages for First MTR South Western. All will need to be delivered and accepted into service by December 2020 timetable change.

Thanks - very interesting. On Monday it will be eight weeks since the award to First/MTR was announced, and I think we still don't know if the contract has actually been signed, whether or not there is to be a change to the starting date so that it would be after the Waterloo works are complete, and who is going to provide the new rolling stock. Siemens would certainly fit with much of what's already there (and they might even modify the 707s, though I don't seriously think that in view of reports that the leasing costs for the 707s are relatively high). Like Siemens, Bombardier have in the Aventra a product that should be well tested by the time the new SW franchise starts to receive it, and I'd be amused if my earlier suggestion that hey might get a version based on the Crossrail trains turned out to be right.

 

[theironroad]

Well, as the decision is being investigated by the CMA, who knows what is happening. Phase 1 of the CMA investigation closed yesterday, which was the 'invitation to comment' and the phase 1 decision deadline is 17 July. My understanding is that this relates to competition between London and Exeter, which is currently the main overlap between the two franchises.

Handover talk are still going on, just with the CMA investigation in the background.

 

[Suraggu]

Well, as the decision is being investigated by the CMA, who knows what is happening. Phase 1 of the CMA investigation closed yesterday, which was the 'invitation to comment' and the phase 1 decision deadline is 17 July. My understanding is that this relates to competition between London and Exeter, which is currently the main overlap between the two franchises.

Handover talk are still going on, just with the CMA investigation in the background.

CMA have investigated many franchises and nothing really comes of it except they monitor the fares etc etc. I dont think First MTR South Western will be overly worried as their franchise seems on paper well thought out.

 

[Suraggu]

Thanks - very interesting. On Monday it will be eight weeks since the award to First/MTR was announced, and I think we still don't know if the contract has actually been signed, whether or not there is to be a change to the starting date so that it would be after the Waterloo works are complete, and who is going to provide the new rolling stock. Siemens would certainly fit with much of what's already there (and they might even modify the 707s, though I don't seriously think that in view of reports that the leasing costs for the 707s are relatively high). Like Siemens, Bombardier have in the Aventra a product that should be well tested by the time the new SW franchise starts to receive it, and I'd be amused if my earlier suggestion that hey might get a version based on the Crossrail trains turned out to be right.

Good luck getting toilets in the Crossrail spec sets.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It'll be 450s indirectly cascaded by the arrival of 707s.

Currently when a 450 turns up in the Ascot to Guildford line in stead of a 456 you can sit in first class for free

 

[HarleyDavidson]

No you can't. Whilst there are through services to London in the timetable, which convey 1st, first class fares are still available.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You can it's just the Waterloo services which u can't

 

[3141]

Good luck getting toilets in the Crossrail spec sets.

I certainly don't claim any expertise in installing toilets into vehicles, but what would prevent toilets being fitted to a coach the length of the Crossrail trains with three doorways per side?

 

[Bookd]

Is that right? My understanding was that from Feltham, for example, first is charged on Reading trains because it is advertised in the timetable. Windsor and Weybridge trains are advertised as standard only, so I understood that if a train with first accommodation turned up it was automatically declassified (and often announced as such on the information screens).

 

[Domh245]

I certainly don't claim any expertise in installing toilets into vehicles, but what would prevent toilets being fitted to a coach the length of the Crossrail trains with three doorways per side?

If you took a clone of a Crossrail unit, you'd have to stick the toilet in one of the main seating bays (ie the two areas inboard of the outermost doors up to the middle door) as there isn't enough space to fit a fully compliant toilet between the outer doors and the car ends, although you could probably fit a space-saver toilet in there. Underfloor space might also be an issue, but looking at some diagrams, the middle 3 cars of a 9 car train look to have enough space to fit necessary equipment underneath.

Of course, it isn't actually an issue, as the Aventra is "fully modular" so you could spec it to have a 2 door leading coach with a toilet before going back to 3 door crossrail esque coaches, or whatever else you want.

 

[TEW]

No you can't. Whilst there are through services to London in the timetable, which convey 1st, first class fares are still available.

Surely you should know better that any kind of ticket whatsoever on that line is entirely optional!

 

[pompeyfan]

Surely you should know better that any kind of ticket whatsoever on that line is entirely optional!

Are you sure we're not on about the Netley line here?

Also, I'm led to believe 450s on Guildford - Ascot services are declassified, as is a handful of services between Basingstoke-Southampton/Portsmouth.

 

[Monty]

Industry insider sources have firm belief either Siemens or Bombardier will have won the order for the new 750 carriages for First MTR South Western. All will need to be delivered and accepted into service by December 2020 timetable change.

I'll believe that when I see it, considering how long it's taken to get the 707s delivered (and they haven't even entered service yet) from when they were ordered I think it's going to be highly optimistic to have the entire fleet in service by the December 2020 timetable. I would wager a fair sum that there will still be 455s and 458s rattling around at least some parts of the network by end of the new Franchise.