TPE contract decision - what could happen?

[CICERO55]

Following the decision to give Avanti 6 more months, when will hear about TPE’s future since its getting on for the end of march now?

 

[LittleAH]

OLR have been spotted sniffing about. Which isn't unusual.

I suspect nearer the end of the contract. One of two things is most likely to occur. 1) Current MD and some Directors get the boot, short extension similar to Avanti. 2) OLR.

 

[Dan G]

From yesterday's West Coast announcement

The Transpennine Express contract expires on 28 May and will be considered separately with a further announcement in due course.

So they've a couple of months yet to make an announcement.

 

[zwk500]

OLR have been spotted sniffing about. Which isn't unusual.

I suspect nearer the end of the contract. One of two things is most likely to occur. 1) Current MD and some Directors get the boot, short extension similar to Avanti. 2) OLR.

Haven't people said before the OLR doesn't have the capacity to take on an extra franchise given the 3 it's already holding?

 

[Geeves]

One of the potential options is the Trans Pennine 'By Northern' where the Northern MD becomes the MD for both but the franchises remain broadly separate, separate control etc

Those are the messroom rumors anyway!

My thoughts are TPE will get an extension in it's current form.

 

[Snow1964]

Haven't people said before the OLR doesn't have the capacity to take on an extra franchise given the 3 it's already holding?

Theoretically they could get one of the existing ones off their hands, although not much sign of anyone being invited to bid for them.

If it is easier to split up TPE, or a current OLR one and tack part on to another operator to reduce OLR workload remains to be seen.

To some extent the current franchise boundaries are historic, doesn't exactly match post pandemic travel flows.

 

[Carlisle]

One of the potential options is the Trans Pennine 'By Northern' where the Northern MD becomes the MD for both but the franchises remain broadly separate, separate control etc

That sounds about the best option I’ve heard so far.

 

[Neptune]

One of the potential options is the Trans Pennine 'By Northern' where the Northern MD becomes the MD for both but the franchises remain broadly separate, separate control etc

It is a definite option as it stands. The changes would be at the top (director/head of…. level etc…) but yes, TPE and Northern staff would remain separate, just operated under the same company umbrella.

Personally I feel this should have happened at franchise change in 2016, they’d split and merged them as they wished in 2004 so it was time to put it all together in 2016 (a lá GWR).

 

[Ken H]

Manc- Scotland to Avanti. Rest to Northern. Perhaps Manc-Cleethorpes to EMR renting in trains maintained at Ashburys.

 

[Frankfurt]

TPE will get permission to pay Drivers the old rest day working rate sooner, rather than later.
Once sanctioned by Aslef the service will improve and as a result Inept Mr Harper can then say they've started to turn it around and grant them a x month extension like he's done with Avanti.
Something that could of been done many months ago to spare passengers the misery they've endured, now forced due to the fast approaching current contract expiry date.
He'll claim he helped turn service around whilst bashing greedy union and drivers.

 

[D6130]

In all fairness, who would want to take on a rail passenger franchise management contract in the present circumstances? I think it would take a fairly hefty increase in the fees to stimulate any interest from the private sector. Otherwise, I agree with the posters above who say that it will have to be OLR or a partial merger with Northern....which are really one and the same thing.

 

[zwk500]

To some extent the current franchise boundaries are historic, doesn't exactly match post pandemic travel flows.

There is certainly a lot of potential value in re-evaluating the franchises post Covid.

 

[RobShipway]

Theoretically they could get one of the existing ones off their hands, although not much sign of anyone being invited to bid for them.

If it is easier to split up TPE, or a current OLR one and tack part on to another operator to reduce OLR workload remains to be seen.

To some extent the current franchise boundaries are historic, doesn't exactly match post pandemic travel flows.

So could it become a North version of GTR?

 

[Confused52]

TPE will get permission to pay Drivers the old rest day working rate sooner, rather than later.
Once sanctioned by Aslef the service will improve and as a result Inept Mr Harper can then say they've started to turn it around and grant them a x month extension like he's done with Avanti.
Something that could of been done many months ago to spare passengers the misery they've endured, now forced due to the fast approaching current contract expiry date.
He'll claim he helped turn service around whilst bashing greedy union and drivers.

My guess is that will NOT happen. More likely when the worst diversion training passes the drivers will never see rest day working again, GBR cannot afford the precedent. GBR changes the rules and some haven't understood the old rules are gone.

 

[Snow1964]

Quick reminder, a subsidiary of DfT OLR is Transpennine Trains Limited (Company 12544930)

Currently Dormant, although name was changed in 2021

TRANSPENNINE TRAINS LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

TRANSPENNINE TRAINS LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Before anyone gets too excited, OLR has about 10 Dormant companies

• London North Eastern Railway Limited
• Train Fleet (2019) Limited (dormant)
• SE Trains Limited
• Northern Trains Limited
• Greater Western Railway Limited (dormant)
• South Western Railway Limited (dormant)
• Cross Country Rail Limited (dormant)
• C2C Railway Limited (dormant)
• Railway West Coast Limited (dormant)
• GA Trains Limited (dormant)
• Transpennine Trains Limited (dormant)
• Chiltern Rail Limited (dormant)
• WM Trains Limited (dormant)
• Midlands East Trains Limited (dormant)
• Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited (dormant)

 

[Bertie the bus]

Haven't people said before the OLR doesn't have the capacity to take on an extra franchise given the 3 it's already holding?

People say lots of things but OLR have said they stand ready to operate other TOCs if asked to do so and you wouldn't expect OLR to have large numbers of people sat around doing nothing just in case another operator fails.