Franchise pre-qualifiers

[radamfi]

If I had it my way, I wouldn't let Go-Ahead anywhere near after the recent farces with Southern and especially London Midland.

Which Southern farce are you referring to? Govia seem to have reasonably good press on Southern, certainly compared to Southeastern and LM.

Are Go-Ahead bidding on their own for Greater Anglia or is it actually Govia?

 

[ainsworth74]

To be fair First turned FGW round to be one of the best TOCs and have certainly shown they can run an Intercity TOC.

Add to that their performance on TPE (which was awarded best TOC of the year last year I think) and on Scotrail and I have to say First to my mind are one of the better operators out there.

 

[Ivo]

I think Virgin should retain the WCML. On the other hand, Abellio are of no real use to the industry in my opinion; just look at their (limited) bus operations. At least the current NS operations over here are working.

As for the Greater Anglia...

What is the point? I know they don't deserve it after the NXEC fiasco, but why not just let NXEA run for a little longer? It's not as though it's a terrible operation. In the long run though, I propose Go-Ahead of the suggested companies, although they are better at buses than they are at trains from the looks of things. Just compare Brighton's main TOC and main bus company - both Go-Ahead. One is pretty much the best; the other, far from it.

 

[radamfi]

As for the Greater Anglia...

What is the point? I know they don't deserve it after the NXEC fiasco, but why not just let NXEA run for a little longer?

I remember that the NXEC franchise had to be terminated early, otherwise Adonis wouldn't have been able to forbid the extension of the NXEA franchise which was somehow connected.

Did NX actually bid for it?

 

[anthony263]

I am certainlly glad Veolia/Transdev didnt get through on the west cast franchise

 

[chris89]

Im rather glad that DB/Arriva didn't make it. Also as many others have said would rather Virgin got the WCML franchaise again. If First got it, wouldn't be bad as the Scotrail services are very good, can't comment on FGW, due to not using them for such a long time.

Chris

 

[Zoe]

If First got it, wouldn't be bad as the Scotrail services are very good, can't comment on FGW, due to not using them for such a long time.

Would be more logical for First to get East Coast though, one group running all franchised services out of King's Cross.

 

[Ivo]

can't comment on FGW, due to not using them for such a long time

Five years ago, Worst Late Western was a very accurate description. Now, though, WLW are as good as dead. They are that much better.

 

[The Planner]

I bet there were a few German chins being pulled off the floor too, would be interesting to see which side of the operation did the bid, Arriva or DB.

 

[Zoe]

Remember that DB own Chiltern though. Would you really want to give them a near monopoly on London to Birmingham?

 

[Aictos]

Would be more logical for First to get East Coast though, one company running all franchised services out of King's Cross.

With that in mind, how about resurrecting a policy from National Express and bring back a group name with the various companies keeping a certain amount of independence?

So in short, when National Express ran WAGN, C2C and Silverlink they're were grouped under the London Lines brand.

 

[159220]

West Coast: Well I think Virgin will be quite safe here. I do believe though the French will give Virgin some stiff competition. I have travelled on the TGVs in France a few times, exceptional service (Yet i did not understand a word! lol). I do remember Virgin suggesting a few months back that they can afford the coast to extend the remaining Class 390s to 11 car, i think this in the proposal will greatly help their case to keep the WCML. Interesting that the Dft is asking for proposals around Sustainability and Environmental credentials. For me this is why i choose to use trains and not drive, great to see the gov insisting in the new WCML holder to work in rails Environmental benefits. This i again imagine will be a favour to Virgin (and Stagecoach) as they have proposed placing a transformer etc into the Class 221s to make them bi-mode on the cheap. Yet i might be being biased here. I have always liked the Virgin brand, I do welcome hearing what the French can do about the Eni. impact of the WCML....
(I too vote for First winning East Coast when that is tendered)
East Anglia: Interesting we have naturally assumed Go-Ahead and Stagecoach shall be the winners here. Yes i am fond of both Southern and South West Trains. But i feel this 17 month tender is a perfect point to welcome Abellio without Serco in. Its a caretaker contract that if they do not mess up they can win the 15 year franchise that will follow. I really do feel East Anglia needs something new!

(I cannot remember where i read this, but i do promise i did! It was reported that a real benefit of 15 year plus contracts will allow the TOCs to have more control over rolling stock orders. This was then given an example of East Anglia and the need to replace all the aging EMUs. Though i would really like to see Abellio win, I am now thinking for this country’s economy at the manufacturing level Go-Ahead need to win as they are loyal to Bombardier (Yes i know its Canadian - but who doesnt love the Canadians! ) in Derby, thus would follow on order Class 379s...Rather than Stagecoach ordering further Class 360s from Europe)

And OOOOOoooo why dont we have a Poll! Would be very interesting to see the companies that actual consumers/users want to be running their services...??

 

[jopsuk]

This is, of course, irrelevant as to who'll get the franchise- but a 321 in NS livery at Southend and at Stratford

 

[swt_passenger]

I remember that the NXEC franchise had to be terminated early, otherwise Adonis wouldn't have been able to forbid the extension of the NXEA franchise which was somehow connected.

Did NX actually bid for it?

After telling everyone that NX would definitely lose all their franchises for walking away from EC, Adonis quickly found it was a hollow threat, because NX's franchises were legally completely separate companies.

From NX's announcement today they weren't prevented from, and definitely did attempt to prequalify, but have been turned down.

http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2011/03/24-national-express-demands-explanation-for.html

Which achieves what Adonis wanted all along, but has just taken a bit longer. It will be interesting to see if they bother bidding for c2c (Essex Thameside) next time, if it's the only rail they'd have left.

 

[TomJ93]

I would like to see VT keep it, though it is really between First and VT I think, they're the only ones with the necessary experience (SNCF's is in France so doesn't count ) Whichever TOC wins, the other will get the East Coast I think.

 

[jon0844]

People may not like FCC but I doubt this will be taken into account when deciding the franchise. That said I still think Virgin are in pole position to retain the franchise.

If you use the Thameslink branch, you probably hate FCC (but I can't see how any other operator can do different during the works).

If you use the Great Northern side, I'd be expecting most people would be more than satisfied, especially in the last two timetable changes where it's now pretty hard not to get a seat, unless you merely don't want to sit next to someone you don't know!

 

[IanXC]

Would be more logical for First to get East Coast though, one group running all franchised services out of King's Cross.

What are First's chances with ScotRail? I would have thought there'd be some advantages to East Coast and ScotRail in the same franchise, with EC having the Inverness/Aberdeen routes for IC.

 

[WillPS]

Those praising TPE - remember TPE is half Keolis.

 

[WatcherZero]

Would depend on their relationship with the Scottish Government who will have complete control of who gets the next franchise.

 

[tbtc]

It should be pointed out that we've had a long number of people claiming that "Virgin have no chance of winning the next WCML franchise because of personal relations with DFT...". Yet they've bid for the new franchise and have been shortlisted... interesting.

Do we know who the "losing" bidders are yet?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's here, exactly as in the Railway Eye:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/InterCityWest/franchisebidders.pdf

I am really surprised DB does not figure on ICWC.
What did they buy Arriva for if not to win new franchises?

 

[Aictos]

One thing to remember is the prequalifying is no indicator of who's likely to be successful, Virgin to my knowledge has twice applied for the ECML and twice was unsuccessful.

First time GNER retained the franchise and the second time they lost to National Express so that being said I could say it's going to be a close race for the WCML and it will be interesting to see what each bidder wants to deliver.

Obviously though I will be bias and hope First do well but equally I look forward to all bids.

 

[scotsman]

SNCF/Keolis...only way to go this time. A tgvUK brand may work...?

 

[Failed Unit]

The BBC report is confusing re: west coast. Has Virgin got shortlisted or is it stagecoach going alone?

 

[WestCoast]

SNCF/Keolis...only way to go this time. A tgvUK brand may work...?

Not so sure, European train operators seem to be slowly taking over the whole of the network, I feel it would be best left with Virgin, despite their many faults, they do know the route and operating conditions very well

In my opinion tgvUK won't be implemented as brand, Daft seems to be heading towards creating interchangeable names between franchises, East Coast being an example. Plus, I don't think SNCF would want to associate the TGV brand with the WCML - it's just not fast or sleek enough.

 

[Pumbaa]

The BBC report is confusing re: west coast. Has Virgin got shortlisted or is it stagecoach going alone?

It's Virign Rail Group on the shortlist, ie the incumbent franchisee.

 

[Failed Unit]

It's Virign Rail Group on the shortlist, ie the incumbent franchisee.

Thanks, I did wonder if the fact that Virgin rail is 49% own by stagecoach was more important to BBC Scotland than making a clear story. Their report was more 2 Scottish companies shortlisted.

Speaking of which, let's say first got east coast, it may be one operator on the majority of the ECML until the great northern and scotrail franchise get relet shortly afterwards!

 

[TTI]

I think Virgin will retain the West Coast there will be too much outcry if they lost it
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The majority of real people who use Virgin West Coast would like them to lose it. They can see through the marketing "hype" and, when everyone else is on a price freeze (last year), Virgin increased their unregulated fares by a whopping 6.1% (Standard Opens).
I hope they lose it.

Best option IMO is NV Nederlands Spoorwagen.

 

[WatcherZero]

The majority of real people who use Virgin West Coast would like them to lose it. They can see through the marketing "hype" and, when everyone else is on a price freeze (last year), Virgin increased their unregulated fares by a whopping 6.1% (Standard Opens).
I hope they lose it.

Best option IMO is NV Nederlands Spoorwagen.

Some places went up by 14% or more....

Virgin to me has been a solid performer with very good marketing and willing to invest. I think they need to improve their stations maintenence but otherwise I hope they retain it.

 

[O L Leigh]

Do Stagecoach have bad industrial relations? The last time they suffered from strike action was at least 4 years ago.... I think Go-Ahead have the worst record for industrial relations!

Yes they do. Don't forget that it's not just SWT any more but EMT as well. There may not have been official strike action for a while, but there has been unrest. It may be that things are quieter over there at the moment, especially compared to LM, but they aren't a shining example.

O L Leigh