Scotrail Franchise - Abellio

[whitrope]

Always someone else's fault with Abellio. A genuine apology from a TOC to its customers shouldn't even mention a 3rd party. The passengers relationship is with the franchisee and most don't give a toss who's fault it is when they are delayed.

 

[najaB]

Always someone else's fault with Abellio. A genuine apology from a TOC to its customers shouldn't even mention a 3rd party.

Did you read the same statement that I did? Because the one I read was signed "Alex Haynes, Managing Director Scotrail Alliance". What 3rd party reference did you see?

 

[alangla]

I suppose it's better than cows eating cables and mice on the line, as far as excuses go.

What's with all the electrical failures though?

There's been extensive work around Rutherglen over the last couple of months, remodelling the connection from the Argyle line to the WCML and replacing OHLE structures above. After each weekend's work there appears to be a couple of weekday points/signal/power failures at Rutherglen.

 

[capital12]

Well, it's certainly different.

Horrific is the word I’d use!!

 

[whitrope]

Did you read the same statement that I did? Because the one I read was signed "Alex Haynes, Managing Director Scotrail Alliance". What 3rd party reference did you see?

I read its all Network Rail's fault

 

[capital12]

I read its all Network Rail's fault

Well as Alex Hynes is MD of both ScotRail AND Network Rail in Scotland - the ScotRail Alliance - how exactly is he blaming a third party?!

 

[whitrope]

Everyone in TOC land likes to blame N.R when in reality the passengers relationship is with the TOC who really should do better at managing their suppliers and not just blaming them.

 

[najaB]

Everyone in TOC land likes to blame N.R when in reality the passengers relationship is with the TOC who really should do better at managing their suppliers and not just blaming them.

You seem to be missing the point: in Scotland there isn't an Network Rail / Scotrail divide - they work together as a combined alliance.

 

[whitrope]

You seem to be missing the point: in Scotland there isn't an Network Rail / Scotrail divide - they work together as a combined alliance.

Rubbish!!. An alliance in name only.

 

[najaB]

Rubbish!!. An alliance in name only.

There's a single MD and it was his statement. So no third-party blaming going on.

 

[68000]

The OHL problem between Cambuslang and Rutherglen earlier in the week was a failed insulator

 

[68000]

Always someone else's fault with Abellio. A genuine apology from a TOC to its customers shouldn't even mention a 3rd party. The passengers relationship is with the franchisee and most don't give a toss who's fault it is when they are delayed.

Read the statement, it is not just from Abellio

 

[JohnR]

Read the statement, it is not just from Abellio

And heres the thing - when you have the Transport Minister on twitter using the apology to back up his position that all the problems are Network Rail, an if only he had full control of NR then it would all be hunky-dorey, seemingly not realising that the guy who signed it is also the MD of ScotRail.....

 

[68000]

Alex Hynes is a Network Rail employee and MD of the ScotRail Alliance - an alliance between Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/how-we-work/our-leadership/our-executive-committee/

 

[JohnR]

Alex Hynes is a Network Rail employee and MD of the ScotRail Alliance - an alliance between Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/how-we-work/our-leadership/our-executive-committee/

Thats my point. You have the Transport Minister using this apology to blame Network Rail for everything, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the guy making the apology is also in charge of ScotRail. Of course Yousaf knows there is an alliance - he's happy enough to take the credit when it works well - but its typical of the point scoring he uses to make his argument for full control of Network Rail, despite not being able to articulate exactly what elements of NR operations he needs under his control.

 

[Highland37]

Thats my point. You have the Transport Minister using this apology to blame Network Rail for everything, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the guy making the apology is also in charge of ScotRail. Of course Yousaf knows there is an alliance - he's happy enough to take the credit when it works well - but its typical of the point scoring he uses to make his argument for full control of Network Rail, despite not being able to articulate exactly what elements of NR operations he needs under his control.

Where does it mention the Transport Minister?

 

[JohnR]

Not You as in second person singular, but You as the Impersonal pronoun.

 

[GrimShady]

What I do know is that rail staff wont accept being treated like the way other public sector areas in scotland are treated by the ScotGov. Any member of staff in ScotRail that thinks being renationalised is a good idea needs to go away and have a word with themselves, especially as a 4% pay rise has just been negotiated - where in the public sector in Scotland does this happen?

Cal Mac!

 

[385001]

Confirmation that a public sector body will be able to bid for the next ScotRail franchise should they wish to do so.

https://www.transport.gov.scot/news...l-be-able-to-bid-for-next-scotrail-franchise/

Public sector bidders will be able to bid for next ScotRail franchise


Ministers have confirmed a public sector body will be able to bid for the next ScotRail franchise should they wish to do so.

David MacBrayne Limited has confirmed its interest in exploring the possibility of a bid for a Scottish rail franchise contract.

Any public sector body that wishes to consider bidding for a rail franchise contract that is let by the Scottish Ministers is able to do so.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said:

"Our consistent view over many years is that there ought to be a level playing field between the private and public sector in bidding for rail franchises. We secured the right for a public sector operator to bid for a rail franchise in Scotland, after being denied by previous UK Governments.

"Identifying a public sector body to make a bid has not been easy. It was vital to consider a range of scenarios as we want to strengthen competition and achieve best value for the public purse, while delivering continuous service improvements.

"It is important for any public sector bidder to have the appetite to bid; the capability and capacity to see the bid through; and the ability and resources to make the franchise a success.

"It is also our view that the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government should have full powers to consider all options for structuring our railways to meet Scotland's needs."

Future Scottish rail franchise competitions will continue to be fair and transparent, giving equal treatment to all bidders whether from the public or private sectors.

This approach will help ensure the delivery of rail services in Scotland that maximise economic and social benefit.

 

[najaB]

Confirmation that a public sector body will be able to bid for the next ScotRail franchise should they wish to do so.

Colour me cynical, but somehow I expect a non-competitive bid from the Unions that gets rejected early, followed by protest of the 'rigged' system favouring 'fat cat bankers' or similar.

 

[mcmad]

ScotGov/TS will need to be very careful in writing the ITT and tender documentation to avoid legal challenges from the private parties that the whole process isn't rigged in favour of Calmac but that leaves an first time bidder with no rail experience a reasonable chance of winning. Sounds like another plan doomed to failure.

It just smacks of yet another ideological driven need to centralise and control everything similar to the BTP fiasco.

I've still yet to understand what useful powers that they, through TS, don't have over Network Rail?

 

[Carntyne]

Calmac will not bid, it's a complete non-starter.

 

[stu77]

Calmac will not bid, it's a complete non-starter.

Surely they will do what there masters tell them.

 

[GrimShady]

Calmac will not bid, it's a complete non-starter.

Don't be so sure about that one.

 

[380101]

Calmac will not bid, it's a complete non-starter.

Indeed. For a start they'll need to recruit a team of very experienced railway people to work on the bid - create a company etc. To do that they'd need to entice top level directors from TOCs/FOCs to create said team. I'd imagine that it will be very hard to persuade knowledgeable top level people to leave a well established TOC/FOC in the current climate.

It'll also cost the public sector company millions to get their Franchise "passport" in order to be able to be eleigible to bid - unless ScotGov are going to waive this requirement?

 

[Northhighland]

Calmac will not bid, it's a complete non-starter.

Well I would hope you are right, but really think about it. Black and red trains an iconic scottish image absolutely differentiates Scotrail form the rest of the UK, you can just see the SNP liking this idea.

Calmac are pretty useless at running ferries so god know what a backside they would make out of running trains. Scotrail is a poor enough service without making it worse.

 

[Mordac]

Maybe Translink should bid. They could use the revenue!
Maybe create an Arriva like body to run railways elsewhere.

 

[Carntyne]

Well I would hope you are right, but really think about it. Black and red trains an iconic scottish image absolutely differentiates Scotrail form the rest of the UK, you can just see the SNP liking this idea.

Calmac are pretty useless at running ferries so god know what a backside they would make out of running trains. Scotrail is a poor enough service without making it worse.

Yes. much like the Saltire livery it already has. You're not going to have trains painted like a Calmac ship, that's the point in a brand that carries over across franchises.

 

[gsnedders]

I think the political will has long been there for a public sector bid, and with the act now having been amended I can't see the current Scottish Government not bidding for the franchise. As others have said, if they win it will inevitably get challenged.

 

[GrimShady]

Well I would hope you are right, but really think about it. Black and red trains an iconic scottish image absolutely differentiates Scotrail form the rest of the UK, you can just see the SNP liking this idea.

Calmac are pretty useless at running ferries so god know what a backside they would make out of running trains. Scotrail is a poor enough service without making it worse.

Cal Mac are actually pretty good at running ferries, if you think that's bad you should have a look at some other shipping companies, you'd be horified...trust me.