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Great Western Coffee Shop > All across the Great Western territory > Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years > Franchise Announcement
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Author Topic: Franchise Announcement  (Read 82378 times)
ChrisB
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« Reply #75 on: March 24, 2015, 15:18:19 »
They will if the (Advance) price is right!
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Zoe
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« Reply #76 on: March 24, 2015, 15:30:47 »
Quote from: ChrisB on March 24, 2015, 15:18:19
They will if the (Advance) price is right!
Will they?  You can get some very cheap fares from Exeter to London with SWT▸ (South West Trains) and I have seen some quite cheap Exeter to London advance fares on the semi-fast Berks and Hants services but you still get quite a few people using the much faster FGW▸ (First Great Western) services to Paddington.  I expect there's quite a bit of business travel from Exeter and so people are more likely be able to accept the higher cost of walk-up fares.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #77 on: March 24, 2015, 15:33:53 »
Have you read II's post that I linked to above? Does that not allay your fears? If not, why not?
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Zoe
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« Reply #78 on: March 24, 2015, 15:37:51 »
Quote from: ChrisB on March 24, 2015, 15:33:53
Have you read II's post that I linked to above? Does that not allay your fears? If not, why not?
Yes I have and I have posted in that thread.  Regarldess of any overcrowding though, is it realy a great idea to be slowing down the headline journey times?  Yes some journeys will be much quicker than now but it seems they will still be slower than the current headline times.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #79 on: March 24, 2015, 15:49:35 »
Those are minimum franchised times you're looking at - I reckon you'll be pleased when the actual timetable emerges.....
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Adelante_CCT
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« Reply #80 on: March 24, 2015, 18:04:03 »
I notice from the consultation that at least 3tph will be missing out Reading. I along with many others will have to get out of the habit of catching the first fast train out of Paddington.
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stuving
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« Reply #81 on: March 24, 2015, 18:21:44 »
Quote from: ChrisB on March 24, 2015, 15:49:35
Those are minimum franchised times you're looking at - I reckon you'll be pleased when the actual timetable emerges.....

I didn't realise the franchise included minimum - I think you mean maximum - journey times. Even if it does, that's not how that table was presented, and it's a pretty meaningless figure anyway.

The IEP▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) spec. says both electrics and bi-modes have to be able get to Bristol in 69 minutes (stopping BPW» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) only) or 75 minutes (all the usual stops via Bath).

I showed the figures to an area manager at the manager-bothering session at Reading this afternoon, and said he had no idea where DfT» (Department for Transport - about) had got them from.
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TonyK
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« Reply #82 on: March 24, 2015, 22:27:08 »
I'm glad I didn't have time to analyse this as soon as the announcement was made - all my questions have been answered, and the debate started for me! It came as a bit of a surprise to me.

It seems it is the beginning of the end for HSTs▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) and Pacers in FGW▸ (First Great Western) land. The cascade from Bristol area will be as welcome as the 165s will be in Bristol. This will be especially so on the Tarka▸ (Branch line from Barnstaple to Exeter) Line, much refurbished with new CWR▸ (Continuously Welded Rail), but still with overcrowded old stock, although the Avocet▸ (Branch line from Exeter to Exmouth) and Riviera lines will rejoice too.

meanwhile, the Bristol Post gives us its own considered opinion, and the benefit of its intensive research into the changes, in an editorial headed We Say:

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The outdated facilities, seating and technology of the HSTs will be replaced by modern "Turbo" trains, bringing more services, faster journey times, more capacity, better comfort and even free wifi.

Helpfully, it adds:

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Bristol is a modern city

in technology, if not in accuracy of reportage.
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Now, please!
ChrisB
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« Reply #83 on: March 25, 2015, 11:31:40 »
What I don't think we've recorded here yuet is that the Award runs until 1 April 2019 guaranteed, with an option for a further year.

Haven't yet discovered on whose side this option lies though.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #84 on: March 25, 2015, 11:48:19 »
At the sole discretion of the SoS for Transport I believe.
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To view my GWML▸ (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #85 on: March 25, 2015, 15:51:47 »
The announcement from Patrick McLoughlin confirms this:

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The direct award secures an operator for the franchise for the 3 and a half years from September 2015 (with an optional 13 period extension at the Secretary of State^s sole discretion) ...
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
TonyK
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« Reply #86 on: March 25, 2015, 18:31:57 »
Quote from: Chris from Nailsea on March 25, 2015, 15:51:47
The announcement from Patrick McLoughlin confirms this:

Quote
The direct award secures an operator for the franchise for the 3 and a half years from September 2015 (with an optional 13 period extension at the Secretary of State^s sole discretion) ...

Probably to give leeway in case of slippage in electrification and IEP▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.).
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ChrisB
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« Reply #87 on: March 26, 2015, 10:24:29 »
Indeed.

Do we know what stock is allocated for the Weymouth & Portsmouth services, or is still conjecture? Can anyone point me to anything concrete in the various announcements?
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Timmer
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« Reply #88 on: March 26, 2015, 16:34:55 »
Quote from: ChrisB on March 26, 2015, 10:24:29
Indeed.

Do we know what stock is allocated for the Weymouth & Portsmouth services, or is still conjecture? Can anyone point me to anything concrete in the various announcements?
165/166 as a five car combination for Portsmouth-Cardiff services. No mention of what will be on the Weymouth line. My guess will be a continuation of 150/158s and of course the HST▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) 'Weymouth Wizard'!

You will find a link to my source on the bottom of page 4 of this thread. Posting this on a mobile device.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #89 on: March 26, 2015, 16:44:06 »
Thank you! - I knew it was on this thread somewhere.
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