W.Midland Trains Emergency Measures Agreement

[Nicholas Lewis]

Dept of T have posted West Midland Trains Emergency Measures Agreement all 164 pages of it

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ransport-and-west-midlands-trains-limited.pdf

I believe this is first one released and only skimped through it but some quotes

The Franchisee acknowledges that the Secretary of State may require special measures, in the form of increased cooperation or additional services, to be implemented while COVID19 subsists and the Franchisee shall use its best endeavours to accommodate such requests and act in the national interests.

Be available to support running Royal Train!!

C11. Consultation on Significant Alterations to the Timetable

- be interesting if this clause is others given dropped services in many TOCs

or even better

14. Planning to meet Target Passenger Demand

minimising, so far as is possible, the amount by which Target Passenger Demand exceeds the provision of Passenger Carrying Capacity on the affected Passenger Services

Goes on about Timetable Development continuing

Requires them to provide passenger counts on services when requested - umm don't give that to the Treasury

Appendix 1 Sets out routes to be operated and Rolling Stock position

Appendix 2 explains the Payment Mechanism but management fee information is redacted

Appendix 3 explains the Performance Payment but all financial detail is redacted but its based on Operational performance, Customer experience & Acting as a Good and Efficient Operator with definitions for Good, Acceptable, Below Acceptable Standard - We were told they just got a management fee.

Not being familiar with Franchise Agreements i presume much of this is just a lift from those but its clearly been drafted so if it extended it provides all obligations to ensure the operator covers all necessary requirements to protect the future of services and any planned adjustments at timetable changes

 

[The Planner]

Don't expect them to alter much for the next 12-15 months in terms of timetable unless COVID suddenly disappears.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The list of routes includes some that WMT do not actually operate: eg Gloucester-Cardiff and Crewe-Manchester Airport!

It also says that existing franchise commitments which involved capital expenditure will be continued by default.
So that would appear to cover things like fleet and station upgrades, and introducing new stock (eg the 196s).
The agreement can also be terminated or extended, so might not actually finish on 20 September.

 

[CyrusWuff]

The West Coast Partnership one has been uploaded as well: https://assets.publishing.service.g...ip-franchise-emergency-measures-agreement.pdf

 

[js1000]

I'd be more interested in how subsidy levels will be affected for franchises going forward. The south east franchises into London appear to be seriously burnt due to loss of commuters and move to WFH.

 

[SamYeager]

Dept of T have posted West Midland Trains Emergency Measures Agreement all 164 pages of it

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ransport-and-west-midlands-trains-limited.pdf

Be available to support running Royal Train!!

I haven't looked through the EMA but I very much doubt it even mentions the Royal Train so why the gratuitous dig?

 

[172345]

The list of routes includes some that WMT do not actually operate: eg Gloucester-Cardiff and Crewe-Manchester Airport!

It also says that existing franchise commitments which involved capital expenditure will be continued by default.
So that would appear to cover things like fleet and station upgrades, and introducing new stock (eg the 196s).
The agreement can also be terminated or extended, so might not actually finish on 20 September.

When WMT took the franchise it was in the franchise that they were to look at the possibility of running Cardiff, Manchester Airport, Bewdley and Round Oak services. All of which disappeared rather quickly but because it was in the original agreement it's probably why it's in here.

 

[WesternS]

I haven't looked through the EMA but I very much doubt it even mentions the Royal Train so why the gratuitous dig?

bottom of p32....

 

[45107]

bottom of p32....

I would make an assumption that that is a requirement in every franchise or EMA and is not unique to WMT.

 

[Domh245]

Mentions of the Royal Train are in every normal franchise agreement, it does seem like one of the bits that's just been copy/pasted over

 

[Chrisgr31]

I'd be more interested in how subsidy levels will be affected for franchises going forward. The south east franchises into London appear to be seriously burnt due to loss of commuters and move to WFH.

Presumably GTR are not seriously burnt as they had a management contract anyway?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I haven't looked through the EMA but I very much doubt it even mentions the Royal Train so why the gratuitous dig?

Sam Section 1 Paragraph 8 is relevant section - I should have quoted relevant section to make it clearer and purpose was to draw attention that the arrangements for the Royal Train were in there not to offend.

8. Royal Train
8.1 The Franchisee shall, if and to the extent requested by any person (including DB Schenker Rail (UK) Limited) and subject to the payment by such person of any reasonable costs of the Franchisee, co-operate in the provision by such person of railway passenger services for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II or any successor head of state or members of the family or representatives of either of them. 8.2 The provision of railway services for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II or any successor head of state or members of the family or representatives of either of them may include: (a) running a "sweeper" train in front of the royal train; (b) having spare locomotives on standby as rescue traction; and/or (c) carrying out security requirements or co-operating with other persons in ensuring that security requirements are carried out prior to calling at any station on the Routes.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Presumably GTR are not seriously burnt as they had a management contract anyway?

DofT already carrying fares risk GTR exposure was car parking and retail outlet revenue but that is also covered by EMA

 

[WesternS]

I would make an assumption that that is a requirement in every franchise or EMA and is not unique to WMT.

Tbh, I was thinking about adding what you said to my original post, however thought that looking at p32 of the West Midlands agreement he/she would come to that conclusion. The same clause appears (very spookily) on p32 of the West Coast Partnership agreement....

 

[KingJ]

Interestingly, both the West Coast Partnership and West Midlands Trains Emergency Measures Agreements remove the need for customer experience surveys (e.g. National Rail Passenger Survey) to be carried out, unless otherwise instructed by the Secretary of State. Specifically, Schedules 7.2 (Customer Experience and Engagement) and 7.3 (Service Quality Regime) will not apply for for the duration of the EMA unless otherwise instructed by the Secretary of State. However, other parts of the EMA do refer to information that needs to be provided in accordance with Schedule 7.2.

Or am I misunderstanding this, and Schedules 7.2/7.3 are meant to determine the franchise payment/subsidy based on customer experience, which is now redundant under the new management contract style of payments? (of which performance would surely be a factor?).

 

[bcarmicle]

The agreement makes several references to Clause 0, but I don’t actually see it??

 

[Pokelet]

The list of routes includes some that WMT do not actually operate: eg Gloucester-Cardiff and Crewe-Manchester Airport!

Under Central Trains Worcester covered the Birmingham-Cardiff runs, when CT split to XC and LM Worcester crews covered the route for a while until XC got sorted. LM ran a Worcester - Gloucester shuttle on a 2 hourly frequently that have an hourly service when combined with the then FGW service also 2 hourly. Problem was nobody used it!

I'm not sure if WMT kept hold of the once per week BHM-GCR service 23:00 FO when the franchise changed our not. It appears now it terminates at Worcester.

 

[Sprinter107]

Under Central Trains Worcester covered the Birmingham-Cardiff runs, when CT split to XC and LM Worcester crews covered the route for a while until XC got sorted. LM ran a Worcester - Gloucester shuttle on a 2 hourly frequently that have an hourly service when combined with the then FGW service also 2 hourly. Problem was nobody used it!

I'm not sure if WMT kept hold of the once per week BHM-GCR service 23:00 FO when the franchise changed our not. It appears now it terminates at Worcester.

The Gloucester shuttle from Worcester operated by London Midland was building up a very good passenger count. It just needed a bit longer to become established. It was withdrawn because the unit working it was needed elsewhere.
The Fridays on working to Gloucester finished last May.

 

[rjames87]

When WMT took the franchise it was in the franchise that they were to look at the possibility of running Cardiff, Manchester Airport, Bewdley and Round Oak services. All of which disappeared rather quickly but because it was in the original agreement it's probably why it's in here.

Has there been no progression around operating any of those additional routes and all likelihood now scrapped ? Vaguely recall there being interest in running the Cardiff services like XC do.