DfT publishes Cross Country Prior Information notice

[TT-ONR-NRN]

So, it’s to be either a continuation of Arriva or an OLR? No one new will take over the contract?

 

[43066]

So, it’s to be either a continuation of Arriva or an OLR? No one new will take over the contract?

The point has been made elsewhere that the OLR likely doesn’t have the capacity to take on another franchise.

 

[Snow1964]

So, it’s to be either a continuation of Arriva or an OLR? No one new will take over the contract?

Could also be emergency continuation contract (which are maximum 24 months), so someone else could gain it some months later, once had time to evaluate new bids.

Should appropriate terms not be achievable, the Department will call upon contingency measures rather than enter into a Direct Award

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/365129/direct-awards-process-guide.pdf

There is a rather complicated diagram of the options and process steps on last page of the link

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Does anyone know why it refers to a direct award rather than a National Rail Contract, like all other TOCs?

This is just the fag end of the former franchising process under the Railways Act, under EU procurement rules.
These still apply despite our leaving the EU, as nothing has been put in their place - that's what the GBR legislation was supposed to do.
So DfT has to continue the refranchising process, or make direct awards where that is deemed preferable.
The DfT could have started a competition for the new XC contract, but really it wants the GBR legislation in there first.

The competition people will be getting edgy about all these direct awards without any competing element.
Arriva has had 15 years on XC despite the original franchise only being for 9 years; the direct award would extend that by 4 or possibly 8 years.
There will be similar concerns about FirstGroup's repeated direct awards at GWR since 2005.
Plus, the OLR TOCs (LNER, Northern, SE) are all supposed to be temporary contracts pending competitive re-bidding.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2022 ==

So, it’s to be either a continuation of Arriva or an OLR? No one new will take over the contract?

DfT hasn't the willpower for a full competition.
They'd much rather get "GBR" up and running first.

 

[43066]

DfT hasn't the willpower for a full competition.
They'd much rather get "GBR" up and running first.

That all seems to have gone rather quiet, however…

 

[fandroid]

I'm just about to write to my MP (Conservative) pointing out that between Basingstoke and Birmingham there used to be (pre-Covid) 3 direct trains every 2 hours. Now there's only one every two hours. So, even if you just want a fast train to Reading, it's pot luck whether there's one that suits your personal timetable

 

[JonathanH]

I'm just about to write to my MP (Conservative) pointing out that between Basingstoke and Birmingham there used to be (pre-Covid) 3 direct trains every 2 hours. Now there's only one every two hours.

I imagine that your MP will write back explaining that due to the lower level of usage since March 2020, the government funding can only support certain services and difficult choices have to be made.

Do let us know.

 

[lammergeier]

I imagine that your MP will write back explaining that due to the lower level of usage since March 2020, the government funding can only support certain services and difficult choices have to be made.

Do let us know.

I suppose when you reduce the service from 3 in 2 hours to 1 in 2 hours then there will be a lower level of usage.

 

[jagardner1984]

I'm reminded of the amazingly pompous Brian Potter line in Peter Kay's glorious Phoenix Night (surrounded by flashing yellow beacons from stolen traffic cones !)

"If we build it, they will come"

Does seem to be a clear link between offering significantly less provision (limited seats, limited irregular timetable) and the numbers opting to travel.

A route like Cross Country is always going to have the challenge to have sufficient capacity through the core, by definition it has to carry loads of fresh air at either end.

Hopefully a middle ground can be found between realistic expected usage and the need to provide sufficient capacity (stock and timetable) to provide a reasonable passenger experience.

 

[fkofilee]

Saw a XC train today hitting Southampton Central and it was full to the brim. I hope they dont can the XC route from Reading southwards.
Its a shame that it isnt more frequent like Hourly down this way.

 

[Jimini]

I’ve just left Cov on the 1426 southbound service, terminating at Reading. It’s about 75% full in seating terms — nice ten car service as well. The 1325 was a five car Bournemouth service — bet that was cosy!

 

[domcoop7]

That all seems to have gone rather quiet, however…

Yes, my thoughts were that if they were going to get GBR set up, they'd just offer an emergency contract extension to the existing contract for 12 months from 2023, which would be enough time for anything longer term to come under the new legislation.

They fact they're offering 4 years, with possible extensions, surely implies that GB Railways isn't on the agenda? But neither is reverting to the old Franchising system. A bit weird it seems to me?

 

[ValentaFan1974]

It’s because the Conservatives know that by the time GBR will be started they will undoubtedly lose the next GE so there is zero appetite for change right now.

 

[P Binnersley]

Yes, my thoughts were that if they were going to get GBR set up, they'd just offer an emergency contract extension to the existing contract for 12 months from 2023, which would be enough time for anything longer term to come under the new legislation.

They fact they're offering 4 years, with possible extensions, surely implies that GB Railways isn't on the agenda? But neither is reverting to the old Franchising system. A bit weird it seems to me?

12 months from October 2023 puts you in the middle of General Election season (May 24 to Jan 25). Six months to finalise new transport policy after the election and 9 months tendering potentially takes you to April 26. Add at least a year if you need to pass a new transport act. Four years to Oct 27 doesn't see too long in that context.

 

[The Ham]

I imagine that your MP will write back explaining that due to the lower level of usage since March 2020, the government funding can only support certain services and difficult choices have to be made.

Do let us know.

If they say that then ask them if they know how many passengers were carried in the last 4 quarters for which there is currently data?

The answer is 1.2bn and so is comparable to passenger numbers seen in 2008.

Data can be found here:

Table 1221: Passenger journeys by sector | ORR Data Portal

 

[lammergeier]

If they say that then ask them if they know how many passengers were carried in the last 4 quarters for which there is currently data?

The answer is 1.2bn and so is comparable to passenger numbers seen in 2008.

Data can be found here:

Table 1221: Passenger journeys by sector | ORR Data Portal

Which, when you consider the service levels currently, is pretty amazing.