Bidders to oversee improvements on rail franchises announced
Thursday, 29 Mar 2012 10:48
“The Government is engaged in the biggest programme of refranchising since the privatisation of the railways. Our reformed approach to franchising will give more flexibility to train operators on how they configure services and run their business, within a framework set by the franchise agreement which will protect key outcomes for the passenger, the taxpayer and the economy. We welcome the strong interest shown in these three competitions by the rail industry. A vibrant and competitive market for franchises is an important part of our strategy for improving services for passengers and reducing the cost of running the railway,” Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said.
“The new Great Western franchise operator will be closely involved in improving rail services following the completion of the electrification and Intercity Express projects.”
The new 15-year Great Western passenger rail franchise is due to commence in April 2013. It will provide long distance, commuter, regional and branch line train services from London Paddington to the Midlands, Cotswolds, South Wales and West of England, the South Coast, Devon and Cornwall and Gatwick airport. Great Western's Heathrow Connect services are expected to transfer to the separate Crossrail franchise in May 2018. The full Crossrail service is expected to operate to Heathrow and Maidenhead by December 2019, replacing most of the current suburban services provided to and from Paddington.
“The new Thameslink operator will help oversee the completion of the Thameslink project which will enable a near doubling of capacity into and through central London in the peak periods.”
The Thameslink passenger rail franchise is expected to start in September 2013. It will be for a minimum of seven years, with a potential extension of up to two years. The franchise will initially include train services between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn. Between April and December 2014, it will take on Southeastern's existing services on the Thameslink route. At some point between July 2014 and July 2017, the franchise will be expanded to include all of the current Southern services in south London, between central London and the South coast, through East and West Sussex, Surrey and parts of Kent and Hampshire.
“The operator of Essex Thameside services will be expected to support economic growth along the Thames Gateway.”
The firms bidding to take over the franchises have been chosen following a pre-qualification process.
Bidders for Great Western franchise:
Bidders for Essex Thameside franchise:
Bidders for Thameslink franchise:
“The new Great Western franchise operator will be closely involved in improving rail services following the completion of the electrification and Intercity Express projects.”
The new 15-year Great Western passenger rail franchise is due to commence in April 2013. It will provide long distance, commuter, regional and branch line train services from London Paddington to the Midlands, Cotswolds, South Wales and West of England, the South Coast, Devon and Cornwall and Gatwick airport. Great Western's Heathrow Connect services are expected to transfer to the separate Crossrail franchise in May 2018. The full Crossrail service is expected to operate to Heathrow and Maidenhead by December 2019, replacing most of the current suburban services provided to and from Paddington.
“The new Thameslink operator will help oversee the completion of the Thameslink project which will enable a near doubling of capacity into and through central London in the peak periods.”
The Thameslink passenger rail franchise is expected to start in September 2013. It will be for a minimum of seven years, with a potential extension of up to two years. The franchise will initially include train services between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn. Between April and December 2014, it will take on Southeastern's existing services on the Thameslink route. At some point between July 2014 and July 2017, the franchise will be expanded to include all of the current Southern services in south London, between central London and the South coast, through East and West Sussex, Surrey and parts of Kent and Hampshire.
“The operator of Essex Thameside services will be expected to support economic growth along the Thames Gateway.”
The firms bidding to take over the franchises have been chosen following a pre-qualification process.
Bidders for Great Western franchise:
- First Great Western Trains Limited (FirstGroup plc)
- GW Trains Limited (Arriva UK Trains Limited – DB (UK) Investments Limited)
- NXGW Trains Limited (National Express Group PLC)
- Stagecoach Great Western Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)
Bidders for Essex Thameside franchise:
- Abellio Essex Thameside Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
- First Essex Thameside Limited (FirstGroup plc)
- MTR Corporation (Essex Thameside) Limited (MTR Corporation Limited)
- NXET Trains Limited (National Express Group PLC)
Bidders for Thameslink franchise:
- Abellio Thameslink Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
- First Thameslink Limited (FirstGroup plc)
- Govia Thameslink Railway Limited (Go-Ahead Group plc and Keolis SA)
- MTR Corporation (Thameslink) Limited (MTR Corporation Limited)
- Stagecoach Thameslink Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)
These potential providers will receive the Invitation to Tender which is anticipated will be issued in October 2012. It is anticipated that the successful bidder will be announced in May 2013, with the contract commencing in September 2013. The length of the franchise will be a minimum of 7 years, with pricing also required for a potential extension of up to 2 years at the discretion of the Secretary of State.
The current Gatwick Express operator Southern expressed its delight that their owning group Govia (Go-Ahead and Keolis) has been shortlisted.
“We are proud of our track record at Southern and are committed to delivering further improvements for passengers during our current franchise which runs until 2015. We are eager to continue our work beyond this and we believe we can deliver passenger benefits across the whole Thameslink network,” a press release, issued by Southern, states.
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