Posted 19th August 2014 | 7 Comments
Northern and TransPennine shortlists revealed
THE Department for Transport has published the shortlists for the next Northern and TransPennine Express franchises, which are due to be awarded in Octiober 2015 and start in the following April.
The three contenders for Northern are Abellio Northern Ltd , Arriva Rail North Limited and Govia Northern Limited.
For TransPennine Express they are First Trans Pennine Express Limited, Keolis Go-Ahead Limited and Stagecoach Trans Pennine Express Trains Limited.
The DfT said the bidders will 'be expected to show how they will make the most of the government’s £1billion investment programme for the rail network in the north of England, which will provide faster and more reliable journeys, more capacity, better trains and improved connections for passengers across the region'.
The next stage will be the issue of formal Invitations to Tender in December.
The announcement has come the day after consultations over both franchises closed.
Rail minister Claire Perry said: “The north is undergoing a real rail renaissance, and we will be asking these companies to come up with innovative and ambitious proposals that will ensure a truly world-class rail network for the region.
“Building a railway that is fit for the 21st century is a vital part of our long term economic plan, connecting businesses and communities, generating jobs and boosting growth, and we need strong private sector partners to help us achieve this ambition.”
The DfT added that the new operator will also be expected to work closely with Rail North, which represents the region’s local authorities, to give local rail users more influence over their train services.
The announcement has come on the day that unions are staging protests outside more than 40 stations to coincide with the announcement of the RPI for July, which will form the basis of next January's fare changes. The TUC and rail unions are repeating their call for railways to be returned to public ownership.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
James harris, Wakefield
I think the unions should be aware of the benefits that privatisation has brought them as essentially public servants.
High wage rises each year of 4-5% on average even since the downturn, 35 hr weeks (from 39) and final salary pension schemes with better holidays.
They would not have got anything like that under national collective bargaining. Will they offer a reduced wage rise for a deferred fares rise?
Most public servants have had next to nothing the last 5 years and railways are publicly subsidised.
SHAUN, BASINGSTOKE
Seems like First and Keolis have fallen out of love with each other for TPE and Keolis has gone back with Go-Ahead like they do with all there other franchises.
Daniel Williamson, Glenrothes, Fife
The company that takes over Northern should extend their trains to Edinburgh Waverley (like FTPE do at the moment) or even North Berwick.
Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Given how Govia managed to pull out 2 new train fleets with its bid for TSGN could they manage to do the same re Pacer replacement ?
One possibility is converting TFL District line D Stock to diesels even though they are older than pacers their design is still more modern and able to meet disabled persons requirements given their design . One question is provision of disabled persons toilets but is it possible to run these trains without provision of toilets if they are limited to journeys of below two hours ?
Roshan, Leeds
I am hoping first keep TPE as they have done a pretty good job there.
Lutz, London
I hope they are all prepared for the political shenanigans that the northern franchises will be subjected to when Labour win the next election.
Chris Neville-Smith, Durham, England
I've been looking at the consultation documents for the franchises, and I've spotted a couple of interesting details:
1) The DfT are considering increasing the TP service to Newcastle from 1tph to 2tph; but ...
2) The DfT are also considering removing through services to Middlesbrough, Scarborough and Hull so that you don't have diesel trains running on a mostly electrified route. (Middlesbrough and Hull are almost certainly going to be electrified now, but Scarborough might have a problem.)
My own 2p's worth is that they should look as bringing back the Saltburn-Newcastle service via Darlington. I accept that it's unworkable to mix 75mph Pacers with 110mph trains, but with a lot of 90mph trains bring freed up by TP electrification perhaps this can be revisited. I'd prefer this to a second hourly service on the TP route.