GA franchise extension

[Sleepy]

Abellio will continue to operate GA until October 2016 :http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norwich...ay_as_franchise_extension_confirmed_1_3560923

Norwich rail improvements on the way as franchise extension confirmed

Major improvements are on the way for rail travellers on the main line to London with government confirmation that Abellio Greater Anglia will run trains for another two years.

As part of their franchise extension, the Dutch-owned company will refurbish all the InterCity carriages used on the main line to London.
As well as being repainted, they will be completely refreshed internally.
New seat coverings and carpets will be fitted. New wi-fi will be installed, and electricity plugs to enable owners of mobile phones or computers to recharge their devices will be installed at all seats. New lighting will be installed.


Tanks to collect effluent will be installed below all the carriages – ending the practice of dumping waste on the track.


As well as the InterCity carriages, Greater Anglia will also oversee the updating of many of the electric units used on commuter services in Essex and up to Ipswich.

 

[klewer]

I see that 321's are getting wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets - now assume the full "demonstrator" refurb won't be looked at for another couple of years?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's not strictly a franchise extension, it's a new franchise under the direct award scheme for July 2014-October 2016.
This is the longest direct award so far.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/better-services-for-passengers-on-the-greater-anglia-franchise

Spending money upgrading the Mk3s on Norwich-London must mean there is no plan to replace them in the short term.

 

[dk1]

It's not strictly a franchise extension, it's a new franchise under the direct award scheme for July 2014-October 2016.
This is the longest direct award so far.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/better-services-for-passengers-on-the-greater-anglia-franchise

Spending money upgrading the Mk3s on Norwich-London must mean there is no plan to replace them in the short term.

Should take the current LHCS through to 2020 when they will be replaced. Some good news for the Sunday services on local routes from Norwich with Sheringhams hourly service continuing year round & Lowestoft getting an hourly service Summer only but not until 2015.

 

[chubs]

shame no new stock even being considered for order for another 2 years though

 

[northwichcat]

shame no new stock even being considered for order for another 2 years though

Maybe you should look at this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=99077 as new stock is currently being looked at for some routes currently with Anglia.

And also remember new Crossrail trains will see some of the Anglia 315s withdrawn.

 

[dk1]

Maybe you should look at this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=99077 as new stock is currently being looked at for some routes currently with Anglia.

And also remember new Crossrail trains will see some of the Anglia 315s withdrawn.

All these routes will be detached from AGA well before new trains are introduced.

 

[northwichcat]

All these routes will be detached from AGA well before new trains are introduced.

But there are plans to replace the oldest trains in the Anglia fleet with brand new trains, which will directly benefit passengers who currently travel with Anglia.

If Merseyrail took over Northern services in and out of Lime Street (or if Tyne & Wear Metro taking over Northern services around Newcastle) and introduced brand new trains resulting in Pacers being withdrawn, would you be happy with someone making the statement of "shame there's no new stock for Northern"?

 

[dk1]

But there are plans to replace the oldest trains in the Anglia fleet with brand new trains, which will directly benefit passengers who currently travel with Anglia.

If Merseyrail took over Northern services in and out of Lime Street (or if Tyne & Wear Metro taking over Northern services around Newcastle) and introduced brand new trains resulting in Pacers being withdrawn, would you be happy with someone making the statement of "shame there's no new stock for Northern"?

But I thought we where talking about the AGA extension. The split off (especially CrossRail) has been long planned. In recent years it has always been the way that once under the TfL banner money is no object.

 

[northwichcat]

But I thought we where talking about the AGA extension.

Can you explain why Anglia needs new trains if you ignore the routes being transferred out of the franchise which are getting brand new trains? Anglia has received 204 new carriages in the last 10 years and have managed to get rid of their oldest stock, unlike many other franchises.

 

[dk1]

Can you explain why Anglia needs new trains if you ignore the routes being transferred out of the franchise which are getting brand new trains? Anglia has received 204 new carriages in the last 10 years and have managed to get rid of their oldest stock, unlike many other franchises.

The LHCS will not be compliant by 2020 & unless major work is done on them (they will be well over 30yrs old then) new trains will be required. It remains to be seen what happens with the demonstrator 317/321 units as to their life extension. The commuter routes into Liverpool Street are hugely busy but the rolling stock is some of the oldest into any London terminus. 204 vehicles is a tiny number for the size of the operation.

 

[northwichcat]

The LHCS will not be compliant by 2020 & unless major work is done on them (they will be well over 30yrs old then) new trains will be required. It remains to be seen what happens with the demonstrator 317/321 units as to their life extension.

Right so if you're talking about compliance issues Anglia are not in an inferior position to any other franchise and that doesn't need resolving before the next franchise is awarded.

Remember chubs was moaning about a lack of new stock until the new Anglia franchise is awarded when I pointed out about new trains for the Liverpool Street services.

The commuter routes into Liverpool Street are hugely busy but the rolling stock is some of the oldest into any London terminus.

And London Liverpool Street to Enfield Town, Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) and Chingford are getting new trains and more capacity as I've pointed out but you didn't want to know as Anglia as losing those routes to LO. You can't have it both ways. I'm sure some of the 315s released could be made available to strengthen other services until new stock is ordered.

 

[dk1]

Right so if you're talking about compliance issues Anglia are not in an inferior position to any other franchise and that doesn't need resolving before the next franchise is awarded.

I didn't say it did but decisions have to be made years in advance. The DfT will have that covered as they dictate everything anyway. The other TOCs still unlucky enough to operate slam door stock have plans that will eliminate them anyway. I'd be happy with 90/mk4 stock on the GEML but latest I've heard is the heavier weight of these vehicles has now ruled this out too. Time will tell.

 

[cle]

Is there any more detail on the extra services? Are the Cambridge - Stansted services extensions of the Norwich ones?

 

[dk1]

Is there any more detail on the extra services? Are the Cambridge - Stansted services extensions of the Norwich ones?

No, no spare diesel traction available. Will be emus to/from Cambridge.

Norwich to Lowestoft will go hourly on Summer Sundays only from 2015.

Norwich to Sheringham will continue the successful hourly service that has run on Summer Sundays for the last 10 or so years to be 'year round'.

 

[chubs]

Right so if you're talking about compliance issues Anglia are not in an inferior position to any other franchise and that doesn't need resolving before the next franchise is awarded.

Remember chubs was moaning about a lack of new stock until the new Anglia franchise is awarded when I pointed out about new trains for the Liverpool Street services.

I should have clarified, I specifically meant the MK3's need replacing badly and not refurbishing (an unpopular opinion on here I know) and the go ahead to do the whole fleet from the 321 and 317 demonstrators.

It's going to take a couple of years at least to get both of those accomplished, and they wont even make a decision for another 2 years.

Another unpopular opinion but some long term action of the DMU issue would be good too, MK2's MK3's and old loco's excites the spotters on here but is no good for regular commuters. And the 170's are knackered and really need to be overhauled too, not just painted.

 

[northwichcat]

Another unpopular opinion but some long term action of the DMU issue would be good too

At the moment Porterbrook are looking in to options for making 153s and 156s complaint and haven't reached a final solution yet.

MK2's MK3's and old loco's excites the spotters on here but is no good for regular commuters.

A decision needs to be made as to who will get the mk4s from EC before an order for new stock is placed.

And the 170's are knackered and really need to be overhauled too, not just painted.

A refresh of the 170 interior isn't something that's out of the question for the Direct Award to cover.

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there any more detail on the extra services? Are the Cambridge - Stansted services extensions of the Norwich ones?

There's a track access application on NR's site. What they've added to the schedule are 8 off-peak return services between Cambridge and Stansted Apt, traction shows as 317. That suggests they'll interwork with existing Liverpool St services to Stansted Apt. There's no start date, and I can't see them in journey planners or RTT yet.

 

[47421]

In relation to the Cambridge - Stansted Airport service, these did appear on RTT earlier this year starting in May, but then disappeared. They looked as if they were going to be operated by 317s otherwise spare at Camb inbetween the peaks, and not interworked with Stansted - Liv St services.

Lets see what happens in July, but what showed in RTT before was not very inspiring. Off peak M-F only, and also stopping only at Audley End, being the only one of 6 stations on the route that already has a direct service to Stansted Airport. Ideally the new trains would stop all stations 1. to provide service from intermediate stations to the Airport and 2. improving London journey opportunities from those stations by allowing a connection to the nice, reasonably fast 379 operated stansted express at the airport



Most detailed summary of improvements per new franchise is on GA website:



Abellio Greater Anglia (AGA) is to deliver some significant service improvements across its franchise area as part of a new contract with the Department for Transport (DfT). The agreement will see the train operator continue to operate train services in East Anglia from July 2014 to October 2016. Despite the contract covering only a short franchise period, the company has worked proactively with the DfT to agree a programme of investment and upgrades which focuses on a number of key priorities for customers and stakeholders in the region. Highlights include:

1. A major refresh for the carriages used on the intercity services operating on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford and London) with power points, new carpets, new seat covers, better lighting, upgraded toilets and an interior and exterior re-paint.

2. The introduction of new off peak Cambridge - Stansted Airport services on Mondays to Fridays from July this year.

3. A programme of Sunday service enhancements on the Norwich to Sheringham, Marks Tey to Sudbury, Ipswich to Lowestoft, Norwich to Lowestoft and GEML routes, to be phased in during 2014 and 2015.

4. Introduction of on-line compensation arrangements for season ticket holders during the franchise period.

5. Provision of over 1600 additional Standard seats on weekdays on the intercity services on the GEML, by converting seven catering vehicles to offer 44 Standard seats instead of 24 First Class seats by October 2016.

6. Installation of over 400 additional cycle parking spaces at AGA stations, including schemes to ensure that all stations in the AGA franchise at October 2016 will have some cycle parking facilities and secure cycle parking facilities are installed at an additional 8 stations.

7. A 20% increase in funding for Community Rail Partnerships across the AGA network.

8. Fitting of controlled emission toilets (CET) to all intercity carriages and the start of a programme to fit CET to Class 321 trains, allied with a £2 million investment by Network Rail at train maintenance depots at Orient Way (East London), Southend and Norwich, to stop waste being flushed onto the tracks and enable the toilets to be emptied in proper facilities at dedicated locations with appropriate equipment.

9. A commitment to continue to work with the DfT and other stakeholders as part of the Norwich in 90 Taskforce to develop plans to improve journey times and services on the GEML.

10. Further initiatives to improve train service performance and reliability, including rolling stock modifications and infrastructure projects.

11. Introduction of an enhanced "Heavy Clean" programme for trains and stations.

12. Improved passenger accessibility arrangements to be installed on twelve Class 321 trains used on commuter services from Essex and South Suffolk, as a precursor to further rolling stock improvements which would be agreed as part of the next Greater Anglia franchise. Abellio Greater Anglia will also work with Eversholt Leasing to evaluate options for starting refurbishment of a small number of Class 321 trains before the end of the Direct Award period in October 2016.

13. Securing feedback from customers on pilot refurbished Class 317 and 321 commuter trains to inform and shape rolling stock upgrade requirements for the next Greater Anglia franchise on both the Great Eastern and West Anglia routes.

14. Completion of station upgrade schemes at Bishops Stortford, Cambridge and Chelmsford.

15. Extension of the company's employee customer service training programme.

 

[jopsuk]

Cambridge News is reporting the Cambridge-Stansted service as running "Between 9 & 4". Presumably it'll use units that have come back from a peak run to Liverpool Street and would normally stable at Cambridge till the afternoon peak. As far as I've observed, after the 0747 CBG-LST departs in the morning there's no spare stock left at Cambridge in the morning peak.

Paths will be available as the peak has 4 trains per hour from CBG to LST, off peak is 2tph

Interesting to see point #5- will that mean all the Mark 3 sets will then be (assuming no failures) the same formation- 2 first, 1/2 catering, 6 1/2 Standard?

 

[swt_passenger]

Interesting to see point #5- will that mean all the Mark 3 sets will then be (assuming no failures) the same formation- 2 first, 1/2 catering, 6 1/2 Standard?

Could have been worse though, look at the FGW situation agreed with DfT for their HSTs. They are all down to 1½ carriages of FC over there...

 

[47421]

Would be nice if they found some 379s for the new Stansteds. Currently the 2 of the 3 12 car sets that work up to Liv St from Camb in the AM peak come back to Camb on 0803 and 0833 from Liv St.

4 car units from these trains then form 0918, 1004 and 1021 departures to Liv St, so I think 3 4 car 379s remain at Camb till the PM peak before they are reformed to 12 cars and work up 1606 ECS and 1640 passenger. So perhaps they can use those spare 379s, or alternatively put the spare 379s on more off peak Liv St services and use displaced 317s for the Stansteds

 

[lemonic]

I travelled in First Class on a London to Norwich service a couple of weeks ago which had 2 First Class carriages. There were not enough seats for all First Class passengers, so some had to either stand or find a seat in Standard Class. (There was no disruption so this was not necessarily an abnormal situation.)

In light of this, I remain to be convinced that swapping First Class seats for Standard Class seats on some trains is the best idea.

 

[TEW]

Could have been worse though, look at the FGW situation agreed with DfT for their HSTs. They are all down to 1½ carriages of FC over there...

You mean it could have been better and Greater Anglia could have gone up to 7.5 standard class carriages.

 

[samuelmorris]

I can't say I'm all that happy about this. The start of 2017 (i.e. the start of the next franchise) places the 'time since last refresh' on the 321s at the same as the 315s (the remaining blue ones) have been up until now, and to be honest, they looked disgusting. I had really hoped that by 2017 the refurbishment programme for the 321s would have begun in earnest, but now it looks like that's only to be considered then. I have to say I'm a little baffled why specifically 12 units have been singled out for modification works under this new franchise - any idea what that's about? 12 units would only make 4 diagrams in peak hours, not enough to serve any one notable destination I wouldn't have thought, so I'm curious. Unless of course they mean 12 diagrams (so potentially 36 units) but that seems very unlikely given the wording of the article.

 

[badassunicorn]

The 315 interior is the same whether its been painted white or is still blue, just the addition of the wheelchair space is new. The green 321's aren't that bad I don't think. Bit dark inside granted, and it would be nicer if they refreshed them to the same standard as the ex LM units with the grey and white spotted seats and brighter interior, even if just for uniformity!

 

[chubs]

I dont think uniformity is something this area will ever achieve. One had a very good stab at it. By the time the next franchise starts they'll want something news and we start again, whilst the 360's and 170's rattle on in their original long defunct liveries.

 

[samuelmorris]

The 315 interior is the same whether its been painted white or is still blue, just the addition of the wheelchair space is new. The green 321's aren't that bad I don't think. Bit dark inside granted, and it would be nicer if they refreshed them to the same standard as the ex LM units with the grey and white spotted seats and brighter interior, even if just for uniformity!

(Re:315s) Yes it is, however they did at least tidy them up a bit. Even that is a more of a refurbishment than was given the 92TS on the Central line, where they didn't even paint over the rust on the grabrails.

Like chubs, I've long since given up on uniformity - the last time we had that was in the early 2000s shortly before 'one' took over, with everything in FGE or Anglia livery - disregarding WA with it being a separate franchise etc.

Aside from a livery mish-mash though, I just get the feeling that by the time the latter half of the fleet are refurbished they'll be in a fairly tatty state, as it'll probably be post-2020 by the time they have them all done, given the rate at which they can spare units.

 

[306024]

I travelled in First Class on a London to Norwich service a couple of weeks ago which had 2 First Class carriages. There were not enough seats for all First Class passengers, so some had to either stand or find a seat in Standard Class. (There was no disruption so this was not necessarily an abnormal situation.)

In light of this, I remain to be convinced that swapping First Class seats for Standard Class seats on some trains is the best idea.

Indeed, gonna be some unhappy people from Colchester and even Manningtree when it is busy on some trains as they won't all get a seat in first. Nice if you have paid £8k+ for an annual season.

On balance it is probably a good idea for some services and not others. Beginning of the week first is heavily loaded, but by Friday reasonably comfortable.

Would be nice if they found some 379s for the new Stansteds. Currently the 2 of the 3 12 car sets that work up to Liv St from Camb in the AM peak come back to Camb on 0803 and 0833 from Liv St.

4 car units from these trains then form 0918, 1004 and 1021 departures to Liv St, so I think 3 4 car 379s remain at Camb till the PM peak before they are reformed to 12 cars and work up 1606 ECS and 1640 passenger. So perhaps they can use those spare 379s, or alternatively put the spare 379s on more off peak Liv St services and use displaced 317s for the Stansteds

The 09.18, 10.04 and 10.21 are all diagrammed for 8 cars, so no 379s left for the Stansted trains, or any other London trains.

Interesting to see point #5- will that mean all the Mark 3 sets will then be (assuming no failures) the same formation- 2 first, 1/2 catering, 6 1/2 Standard?

Three sets will still be 5 1/2 standard, not enough long sidings to have all trains the same length.

 

[chubs]

Like chubs, I've long since given up on uniformity - the last time we had that was in the early 2000s shortly before 'one' took over, with everything in FGE or Anglia livery - disregarding WA with it being a separate franchise etc.

Even back then an Anglian rake of Mk2's ran in old Intercity livery its entire life, and I think a few DMU's were in old liveries at times.

Te current mismatched rakes look really ridiculous, but I do understand they can only do a few at once.