Posted 23rd April 2010 | 6 Comments
Union to bid for East Coast to show 'absurdities'
THE train drivers' union ASLEF has revealed that it intends to bid for the Intercity East Coast contract when the competition starts next year. But the union is philosophical about its chances, saying it's really a tactical gesture intended to 'demonstrate the absurdities' of the process.
The first part of the competition will be an Invitation of Expressions of Interest, early in 2011. An ASLEF spokesman told Railnews that the union would respond to this, but that the real test would be whether ASLEF made it through to the shortlist of selected bidders, who are then sent an Invitation to Tender.
'We don't expect to get an ITT,' said the spokesman. 'But we will be taking it as far as we can. We'll go public with our experiences. We want to show how absurd the present franchise structure is, and particularly the process for letting a new one.'
The last East Coast franchise held by the private sector was the National Express Group contract which terminated in November 2009. National Express withdrew because the revenue proved to be inadequate to pay the premiums, which amounted to an average of £500,000 a day.
As a result, East Coast is currently operated by a government-owned company. However, the Department for Transport has said that it intends to return the operation to the private sector, with a new franchise set to start in November 2011.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Jeff king, Birmingham, UK
Of course Paul Williams is actually talking about British Rail in the late 80s early 90s, just before privatisation and there is nothing wrong with that idea. But, let's face it, no government is going to have the courage to re-nationalise adn I doubt that the EU would let them if they did. far better to modify the existing franchises into geographic entities (like Scotrail) BUT also provide complete vertical integration of the infrastructure as well. The only aspect that would remain government controlled would be those service that required economic support and there would be a PSR in place.
Steve, Eastbourne
Scrap all franchises and run them as the old five regions Southern Railway plc, London & North Western Railway Plc South Western plc etc... and just let them get on with it! Like before in 1948 before the useless government come along and messed everything up with their big ideas.
andy g, cheam, england
AKA return the railways to 'us' and not to cowboy 'bus operators
poster, leeds
If I understand correctly, National Express bid on the basis they could earn profits, then the crisis struck and they realised that revenues and profit would be less than costs for a while so they gave up! Brilliant. What amazes me is that the rest of the network has so far lived through this crisis.
Paul Williams, Tewkesbury, UK
Why not have a state owned company running a basic service, covering all stations and then let private companies run additional trains, subject to track capacity, for a flat fee per train. That way they can make a profit, without having to claim subsidy, and all routes will be adequately served. It would also be easier then to put on extra trains for sporting events, concerts and other occasions.
les Burge, leicester, england
Scrap all franchises and run them not for profit.