Great Western Franchise Extension

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

I expect we'll find out when the official announcement is made!

[ChrisB]

You'll find out once the contract is actually signed

[broadgage]

On balance I am glad that First group are to run the services for 5 years more.
IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion), they have their faults but are better than the likely alternatives.

As I have posted elsewhere on these forums I have very considerable misgivings about the new trains, especialy as regards catering provision, seat spacing, and passenger comfort in general.
It is said that the internal layout of the new trains is not "set in stone" but can be altered to better meet the needs of the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company).
Had a different TOC  been appointed, I would have feared that First group would have accepted an inferior layout, and then lost the franchise to a competitor. The new lot would then be able to say "unfortunately the interior layout was not chosen by us, and it is not ideal for the high quality service that we aspire to deliver. We will do what we can with trains foisted on us"

With First group continuing to run the services, they wont be able to blame anyone else for the interior of the new trains.

[IndustryInsider]

With First group continuing to run the services, they wont be able to blame anyone else for the interior of the new trains.

Apart from the DfT.   

[ChrisB]

From Rail Technology Magazine

Duration of new FGW^▸ (First Great Western) contract ^undecided^, DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) says



The Department for Transport (DfT) is negotiating a directly awarded contract for First Great Western (FGW) to continue running services in the south west, but reports that the contract is for five years are ^unfounded^.

Media reports have suggested that FGW could receive a five-year ^extension^ to run the line, but the DfT has stated ^we have not yet decided how long that contract will be^.

FGW spokesman Dan Panes told RTM^▸ ((and RTFM) Read The Manual!) the contract is not an ^extension^ but a new contract award, and the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) is having to re-bid for the contract.

He said: ^This is not, and will not be, an extension of the current franchise. Just as this current franchise we^re in is not an extension of the previous one.

^It is not true that we^re not having to bid for it. We are having to put a proposal to the DfT, and although they have not gone out to full tender on that, they have lots of options open. This would be a completely new contract with new terms, and that^s why we have got to re-bid, because the DfT have to be happy it offers value for money.^

Panes added that when the DfT issued a procurement notice in March, which they have to do under EU^» (European Union - about) rules, the maximum contract length that could be awarded was five years. ^That^s the absolute maximum that they could give us,^ he said.

The RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) rail workers^ union, however, has been angered by the potential decision and the ^lack of competition^.

Brendon Kelly, from the union, told the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page): ^All the investment at current is coming from the government, nothing is coming from the private operators, they're literally just managing it and sharing out the dividends to their shareholders.

^That^s money we could be spending on the railways.^

A five-year contract would give time for the operator to handle the introduction of Hitachi^s new ^Super Express^ rolling stock onto the newly-electrified parts of the Great Western.

Panes said FGW would be best-placed to continue as the operator, having been there since the start of the electrification project.

^We think that is the solution that would offer best value for the Department and customers. But ultimately it is the DfT^s decision to see if that argument carries any weight,^ he told us.

Edit to correct link - grahame

[TheLastMinute]

Just picked up a rumor from another forum that there is to be an announcement tomorrow (Friday) for a 3.5 year direct award.

[eightf48544]

What an odd timeframe right in the bedding down period of electrifcation, new trains and signalling but before Crossrail.

I suppose DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) dare not give FGW^▸ (First Great Western) longer as it would be seen as anti competitive or something.

Still no answer to the Wolmar question of what is franchisnfg for!

[grahame]

A similar rumour has been around for a while, but vague and I question how real. I think at the time of the consultation we were asked to consider 10 months, 3 years and 5 years in how we answered?     Barring short parliaments, 3 years-ish would move the award process away from the lead up to the next general election - we can discuss whether that would be a good or bad thing.   As regards an announcement very soon - I thought that wasn't possible until March (or at least contracts can't be signed until then) due to the need for a year's notice under an EU^» (European Union - about) law?

[TaplowGreen]

As I have posted elsewhere on these forums I have very considerable misgivings about the new trains, especialy as regards catering provision, seat spacing, and passenger comfort in general.
It is said that the internal layout of the new trains is not "set in stone" but can be altered to better meet the needs of the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company).
Had a different TOC  been appointed, I would have feared that First group would have accepted an inferior layout, and then lost the franchise to a competitor. The new lot would then be able to say "unfortunately the interior layout was not chosen by us, and it is not ideal for the high quality service that we aspire to deliver. We will do what we can with trains foisted on us"

With First group continuing to run the services, they wont be able to blame anyone else for the interior of the new trains.

In all honesty after this week's events I'd be happy to sit on a bench and eat leg of poodle in a bap if only the issues around reliability and capacity could be addressed........I do like the principle of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) not blaming others though.

[stuving]

I presume this "news" is based on the updated franchising timetable released by DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) today.

This shows the current direct award ending next September, and the new franchise starting in March 2019. Ergo, the intervening direct award to be negotiated is 3^ years long.

[ChrisB]

Oxford Mail is carrying a report of 3.5 year award. Can't yet see it online

[IanL]

On the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) now

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29565156

[ChrisB]

No financial deal has yet been agreed, but FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s parent company FirstGroup will be the only bidder. It was not available for comment.

My emphasis. Surely thaty would be "have been" if this award has happened?.....Nothing I can see on the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) website. Suspect the press jumping the gun (still) with nothing actually signed.

[grahame]

From FGW^▸ (First Great Western) - a round robin, with nothing especially secret (in fact referring to press releases) so I can copy it ...

We promised to keep you up to date with news on your rail services. [Xxx] is on leave but I know [xxx] would want me to make sure you were aware of today's announcement by the Secretary of State. He has confirmed that the length of the single tender Direct Award for the Great Western franchise (starting next October) will be 3.5 years, to March 2019. The Secretary of State would also have an option to extend the franchise for a further year.

He is quoted in today^s Guardian saying  ^As part of the government^s long-term economic plan I want to see rail travel in the South West transformed. That is why we are delivering a huge programme of electrification and new, modern trains bringing faster, more comfortable and more reliable journeys. First Great Western is best placed to help to deliver these projects over the next four years."

FirstGroup have also issued a statement which I have set out below for information.

[grahame]

And that statement ...

STATEMENT RE^▸ (Religious Education): FIRST GREAT WESTERN FRANCHISE

FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) and North America, notes the publication today by the Department for Transport (^DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)^) of an updated timetable for its rail franchising programme.

Today^s publication confirms that the DfT intend to negotiate a direct award for our First Great Western franchise with duration of three-and-a-half years to March 2019, with a further extension of up to one year at the DfT^s discretion. As previously announced this direct award will ensure stability during a period when a substantial programme of infrastructure upgrades will take place on the network and new trains are introduced.

Commenting, Tim O^Toole, FirstGroup^s Chief Executive, said:

^We welcome the publication of the latest DfT franchising timetable which continues to demonstrate clarity and momentum in the re-franchising programme. A period of detailed negotiation will follow but we are very pleased that, after a consultation process in which the DfT sought the views of stakeholders and user groups across the line of route, the DfT intend to negotiate a direct award of at least three-and-a-half years with us. This will offer good value for money and better services for First Great Western passengers and in particular, will provide stability and allow the planned major projects and new trains to be delivered.^