Next Great Western franchise could be Pacer-less

[whole diary]

[matt473]

I'm sure someone mentioned something before that the pacers had something to do with local councils who had paid for them so whoever takes on the franchise has to take them on. Not certain on this though so don't hold me to it. Would make sense though as none of the leasing companies have them on their books

[qwerty]

I'm sure someone mentioned something before that the pacers had something to do with local councils who had paid for them so whoever takes on the franchise has to take them on. Not certain on this though so don't hold me to it. Would make sense though as none of the leasing companies have them on their books

Matt is correct. The units in question were purchased by Local Authorities. It is part of the franchise obligation to transfer 'ownership' to the current franchise holder.
It could however, be renegotiated in the future under the terms of a new franchise. Local Authorities could be pursuaded to do anything if there is a positive trade off elsewhere.

[anthony215]

Seems that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) intend to get rid of pacers on the severn beach line:


http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Newer-trains-seats-track-commuter-line/article-3137936-detail/article.html

  From what i have read in the article  i think  it is likely that some of the former london overground class 150's will be used.

[northwesterntrains]

Seems that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) intend to get rid of pacers on the severn beach line:


http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Newer-trains-seats-track-commuter-line/article-3137936-detail/article.html

  From what i have read in the article  i think  it is likely that some of the former london overground class 150's will be used.

Although this article claims newer larger trains.  150s aren't newer.

[tramway]

That'll be a neat trick Julian, as most of the 150's are spending their time between Portsmouth and Cardiff at the moment.

Perhaps spending some of the profit on 158 spares, (suggest toilets to begin with), and a few fitters to actually fit them wouldn't go amiss.

[willc]

It is fairly obvious that he is talking about extra 150s coming from London Midland later in the year - the ex-London ones are all pretty busy already, aren't they? The intention is presumably to concentrate the 143s on workings around Exeter, so they can get expert attention at the depot there every night.

As for rolling stock owned by PTAs^▸ (Passenger Transport Authority), West Yorkshire, which is among the biggest involved, is set to transfer all its stock to leasing companies, which probably makes sense in a lot of cases, such as three-car railbus sets where they own the centre coaches but the driving coaches belong to a leasing firm.

[tramway]

Yes I appreciate the cascade could mean a local shake up, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, 150's seem to be covering for a lack of servicable 158's, something that's seems to be happening on a more frequent basis recently. Whether this is a temporary problem or a symptom of more serious maintenance issues only time will tell.

With Bristol council funding of the extra 143 running out shortly and the 150 leasing costs being quite a bit more do the comments mean FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will now fund the whole timetable?

[willc]

Julian Crow is quoted as follows: "We are in negotiation with Bristol City Council to maintain the level of service and possible improvements to the evening service."

Doesn't sound like the council is pulling the plug, though it clearly wants to reduce its financial contribution but if there's more revenue coming in they might be able to. And the whole tone of his remarks is upbeat about the prospects for the line.

As for 158s, see the posts here http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=8320.0

[tramway]

Or, "First Group, the worlds largest bus operator, in bid to increase Bristol City contribution to running their train services".