Future for the West Coast Franchise

[James Kevill]

Would anybody predict, if they are any changes after the Virgin Trains West Coast Franchise ends in 31st March 2020?

 

[bionic]

Not a prediction, but seats with windows would be nice.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

In the short term, just some cosmetic changes depending on the PR of the winning bid.
Maybe a bit of colour on the repainted all-white trains.
There are few options for service changes with HS2 in the offing and no obvious source of new tilting rolling stock.
More trains to Liverpool would be obvious, as Virgin has been trying to do that anyway within the existing fleet.
In the meantime the DfT will just want to squeeze the maximum premiums out of the classic franchise before the big changes with HS2.
Maybe some tinkering with fares towards single leg pricing (if the DfT is serious about reform).
There's time for another direct award yet - and there will be a new government along shortly.

 

[Aictos]

Virgin Trains to get yet another direct award, might as well just give them the franchise for life at this rate!

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

As far as i am aware the white livery for Virgin was only ever meant to be temporary. Maybe a few additional services could be added? Liverpool (up to 5 additional trains per day), Bolton or Windermere. Maybe replacement of the Voyagers with bi-mode stock taking advantage of the wires. Third service for Shrewsbury?

 

[VT 390]

As far as i am aware the white livery for Virgin was only ever meant to be temporary. Maybe a few additional services could be added? Liverpool (up to 5 additional trains per day), Bolton or Windermere. Maybe replacement of the Voyagers with bi-mode stock taking advantage of the wires. Third service for Shrewsbury?

Would there be enougth demand for services to Windermere? I think a third or even forth Shrewsbury service would be well used, perhaps even extending some to Wrexham. As much as I thing some peak services to Bolton would be well used is it worth the risk for delays that are likely through the 2 through platforms as Manchester Piccadilly.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Would there be enougth demand for services to Windermere? I think a third or even forth Shrewsbury service would be well used, perhaps even extending some to Wrexham. As much as I thing some peak services to Bolton would be well used is it worth the risk for delays that are likely through the 2 through platforms as Manchester Piccadilly.

Isn’t there a half-hourly terminators at Birmingham?? Could 1 train per hour be to extend it to Wrexham via Shrewsbury? Bolton maybe too hard to reach until Castlefield Corridor issues are sorted. Windermere could be introduced as a daily service.