East Midlands franchise won by Abellio

[Bletchleyite]

Really ? - isn't that rather OTT ?

The Mtogo concept could in theory be quite profitable, though I find Mtogo itself a bit poor - a not very knowledgeable ticket office combined with a pretty awful convenience store.

 

[tracksider]

To quote Abellio;

“An improved Intercity product with a consistent catering and first class offer 7 days a week”

Hmmm, pretty vague so far then!

 

[NoOnesFool]

Has anyone heard anything about Abellio's plans for first class? As far as I know 180s don't have the "galley" spaces that the 222s and HSTs have for food prep, so how would this work?

Most of the food can be prepared using a microwave oven, which Class 180s have, the baked potatoes currently on offer are pre-baked by Bannister's Farm and heated up on board, and the chilli is reheated from a sealed pack.

Obviously the morning breakfast service would have to be adapted. It will probably be simplified to porridge, pastries and microwavable bacon rolls.

 

[tracksider]

Most of the food can be prepared using a microwave oven, which Class 180s have, the baked potatoes currently on offer are pre-baked by Bannister's Farm and heated up on board, and the chilli is reheated from a sealed pack.

Obviously the morning breakfast service would have to be adapted. It will probably be simplified to porridge, pastries and microwavable bacon rolls.

This sounds plausible. Perhaps they will avoid breakfast issues by only using the 180s on later services.

 

[alan]

Has anyone seen the recent marketing campaign by the current East Midlands Trains? Why would stagecoach invest in a campaign that will ultimately benefit Abellio more?

 

[AndyW33]

Has anyone seen the recent marketing campaign by the current East Midlands Trains? Why would stagecoach invest in a campaign that will ultimately benefit Abellio more?

Maybe they've committed as part of the current franchise to a minimum annual marketing spend and are contractually bound to deliver it?
Maybe the marketing staff want to be transferred to the new franchise company under TUPE and are demonstrating how good they are so their jobs don't get outsourced instead?
Maybe the biggest effect of the campaign is likely to be in the period before the franchise changeover?

 

[sheff1]

Obviously the morning breakfast service would have to be adapted. It will probably be simplified to porridge, pastries and microwavable bacon rolls.

Well that should reduce the demand for breakfast pretty quickly !

 

[XCTurbostar]

Not the crimson red people where hoping for but: https://bbc.in/2Xqoo3r

 

[Japan0913]

Abellio East Midlands Limited / East Midlands rail franchise
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the award of the East Midlands rail franchise to Abellio East Midlands Limited.

Published 21 June 2019　GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/abellio-east-midlands-limited-east-midlands-rail-franchise?utm_source= 1ae9b7f4-06a1-4a58-a6e7-dfb2f563b557＆utm_medium = email＆utm_campaign = govuk-notifications＆utm_content = immediate

Phase 1
Statutory timetable
Phase 1 Action
23 August 2019 Deadline for phase 1 decision (*)
21 June to 5 July 2019 Invitation to comment
21 June 2019 Launch of merger enquiry
*This date is the current statutory deadline by when the decision will be announced. If any change occurs, the information is refreshed as soon as practicable. However, the CMA cannot guarantee that the decision will be announced on or before this current deadline, as the deadline of a given case may change during the merger assessment process due to different reasons.

Invitation to comment: closes 5 July
21 June 2019: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

Launch of merger inquiry
21 June 2019: The CMA has launched its phase 1 investigation following the European Commission’s decision to refer the case to the United Kingdom under Article 4(4) of the EC Merger Regulation.

Study of Abellio's Merger with East Midlands rail franchise
Decision deadline for Phase 1 of the investigation August 23, 2019
Franchise Start Date August 18, 2019
Can Abellio start the franchise on time?

 

[hwl]

Abellio East Midlands Limited / East Midlands rail franchise
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the award of the East Midlands rail franchise to Abellio East Midlands Limited.

Published 21 June 2019　GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/abellio-east-midlands-limited-east-midlands-rail-franchise?utm_source= 1ae9b7f4-06a1-4a58-a6e7-dfb2f563b557＆utm_medium = email＆utm_campaign = govuk-notifications＆utm_content = immediate


Study of Abellio's Merger with East Midlands rail franchise
Decision deadline for Phase 1 of the investigation August 23, 2019
Franchise Start Date August 18, 2019
Can Abellio start the franchise on time?

Perfectly normal, these investigations have never previously caused a delay. The result is usually undertakings about local bus route operation and pricing.

 

[Japan0913]

Perfectly normal, these investigations have never previously caused a delay. The result is usually undertakings about local bus route operation and pricing.

NEXT STAGE.
Will the "Arriva UK Trains" lawsuit continue?

 

[swt_passenger]

Not the crimson red people where hoping for but: https://bbc.in/2Xqoo3r

Isn’t that just the same drawing that was posted in this thread a week ago? (Post #1158)
Were people really hoping for crimson?

 

[whhistle]

Isn’t that just the same drawing that was posted in this thread a week ago? (Post #1158)
Were people really hoping for crimson?

Yeah, it's the only image that's been released.
That and the logo.

Seems like EMT logos will be covered / changed on Day 1.
Uniforms won't be but badges / accessories and things will be available for staff to wear to give a flavour of EMR.

 

[KashmireHawker]

Here is everything that has been revealed, confirming the first leaks.

 

[Robertj21a]

Here is everything that has been revealed, confirming the first leaks.

View attachment 64789

At least it won't show the dirt !

Personally, I'd much prefer a brighter livery.

 

[duffield]

Hard to tell from these pictures, but I *think* I'll like it when it arrives. I suppose it's obviously intended to be very LMS-like?

 

[edwin_m]

Hard to tell from these pictures, but I *think* I'll like it when it arrives. I suppose it's obviously intended to be very LMS-like?

The lettering is sans-serif like the post-war LMS style, but shadowed (is that the word?) like the pre-war style. The colour looks more like BR maroon.

 

[M7R]

Might be alright, will be a bit of a change from the white or blue we have up round Notts, I quite liked the different colours for the inter city vs the regional.


On a side note where can I get an EMR umbrella?

 

[Sprinter153]

The heavier/larger treatment of the capital Is in the logotype looks very clunky and awkward to me.

The mockup produced by Sam Jessup Design which was posted a while back was far nicer than yet more staid faux nostalgia.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The heavier/larger treatment of the capital Is in the logotype looks very clunky and awkward to me.

The mockup produced by Sam Jessup Design which was posted a while back was far nicer than yet more staid faux nostalgia.

I like the gWr one which seems to be a bit of modern and a bit of nostalgia all rolled into one, but this one does seem more fit for a preserved railway for some reason. I think the bodyside band does it.

 

[LOL The Irony]

The heavier/larger treatment of the capital Is in the logotype looks very clunky and awkward to me.

The mockup produced by Sam Jessup Design which was posted a while back was far nicer than yet more staid faux nostalgia.

I prefer this one. I can see what Sam Jessup was going for but on the side of a train, the E3(m on it's side) doesn't work that well (the m screws it up) and it reminds me of the original Midland Mainline livery, of which, I'm not a fan.

 

[whhistle]

I wonder if in the end, they'll try and curtail the early morning Melton train if Corby is getting electrics.
But then again, I suppose when bi-modes come in, they'll run it picking up from the wires at Corby. Until then, perhaps a suitable run for the 180s, in that if one fails, it isn't the end of the world.

 

[pt_mad]

Which routes are the class 180s planned for?

Must admit I don't quite get the EMR Electrics thing. The public aren't generally enthusiasts and probably don't care how the units get their power?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Which routes are the class 180s planned for?

Must admit I don't quite get the EMR Electrics thing. The public aren't generally enthusiasts and probably don't care how the units get their power?

Abellio Northern did it too.

"EMR Express" would probably be a better brand, that said.

 

[dk1]

Which routes are the class 180s planned for?

Must admit I don't quite get the EMR Electrics thing. The public aren't generally enthusiasts and probably don't care how the units get their power?

I dont think travelling public opinion on traction has anything to do with it. Why should they need to know or care unless they are of the environmental persuasion?

 

[dk1]

I wonder if in the end, they'll try and curtail the early morning Melton train if Corby is getting electrics.
But then again, I suppose when bi-modes come in, they'll run it picking up from the wires at Corby. Until then, perhaps a suitable run for the 180s, in that if one fails, it isn't the end of the world.

I can't see it continuing unless it's s franchise commitment. As you say though it may once bimodes arrive & so continue to give Melton & Oakham a through service.

 

[43074]

Which routes are the class 180s planned for?

Must admit I don't quite get the EMR Electrics thing. The public aren't generally enthusiasts and probably don't care how the units get their power?

The 180s are for the Intercity services.

I suspect EMR electrics is just a marketing ploy really, and why not after the money spent electrifying it and the associated benefits of journey times and capacity?

 

[43074]

I wonder if in the end, they'll try and curtail the early morning Melton train if Corby is getting electrics.
But then again, I suppose when bi-modes come in, they'll run it picking up from the wires at Corby. Until then, perhaps a suitable run for the 180s, in that if one fails, it isn't the end of the world.

The Melton service will be continuing, it was in the ITT after locals kicked up a fuss about its proposed withdrawal because of the electrics.

 

[pt_mad]

I dont think travelling public opinion on traction has anything to do with it. Why should they need to know or care unless they are of the environmental persuasion?

Did that mean you like it or don't like it?

 

[dk1]

Did that mean you like it or don't like it?

I'm confused. Don't like what?