Posted 29th March 2012 | 7 Comments
Thirteen bidders compete for three franchises
"The operator of Essex Thameside will be expected to support economic growth along the Thames Gateway.”
THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT has named thirteen bidders who have been shortlisted to run the next Thameslink, Great Western or Essex Thameside (currently c2c) franchises.
Transport minister Theresa Villiers said: "A vibrant and competitive market for franchises is an important part of our strategy for improving services."
Industry observers have noted that National Express appears to be acceptable as a bidder once again. The Group was snubbed by the DfT when the competition was held for the present Greater Anglia contract last year. Although NX was the outgoing operator, it was not even shortlisted.
Now, however, it has passed the first hurdle in the bidding for two contracts – Great Western and Essex Thameside. The Essex operation, with routes from London Fenchurch Street to many towns on the northern bank of the Thames estuary, is currently NX's only surviving heavy rail franchise. Less than ten years ago, NX held more franchises than any other operator.
Ms Villiers added: "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."
She continued: “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 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 operator of Essex Thameside will be expected to support economic growth along the Thames Gateway.”
The shortlists:
Great Western:
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)
DfT comment: 'These potential providers will receive the Invitation to Tender which is anticipated will be issued in May 2012. It is anticipated that the successful bidder will be announced in December 2012, with the contract commencing in April 2013. The length of the franchise term will be 15 years.'
Essex Thameside:
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)
DfT comment: 'These potential providers will receive the Invitation to Tender which is anticipated will be issued in June 2012. It is anticipated the successful bidder will be announced in January 2013, with the contract commencing in May 2013. The length of the franchise term will be 15 years.'
Thameslink:
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)
DfT comment: '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.'
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
MikeB, Liverpool
As none of the political parties will ever consider renationalisation, we are going to have to put up with the likes of Virgin or the "bus operators." Unless, of course, nobody minds the German, French Dutch or any other foreign government owing the rights to run our train services!
Jim, Manchester
Can't see NX getting the Great Western line, also wouldn't surprise me if there was a First Group monopolization across all three franchises.
Lee, Manchester
What is the point of privatisation when the franchises being offered seem to increase in geographical area and duration and are bid for by the same few companies such as DB, Abellio, Stagecoach, First or combinations and derivatives of these? If the government continues at this rate it will renationalise the railways, only with a private rather than public sector operator.
Joel Kosminsky, London
"Thirteen"? Sorry, I only see about six - the usual suspects in 'shell' companies. Each bid averages several million quid of resource, and under our crazy system the losers get their money back, meaning taxpayers stump up win or lose. When will passengers get a good deal - when the railways are run for them, not for absentee landlords.
andrew ganley, southend
Just the same old faces,tired useless 'Bus Operators,like the comment from
Ms Villiers,i'll bare that in mind the next time im on Liverpool St Station wondering how im going to get home after (yet) another signal/points failure
Do these cretins really believe that painting rolling stock in pretty colours makes for an efficient railway
Jamie, Farnborough
Nationalise the railways and stop this ridiculous tenderisation. FirstGroup and Stagecoach have already got huge monopolies over vast swathes of our railways.
welling4x4, Bristol
I thought that FGW wanted to bid only if it was for 20 year contract.
I don't think theirs is a genuine offer