East Coast rail franchise - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[martyjon]

I think that the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) should put in a bid for the franchise, and show us all how it should be done !

With no "fat cat" shareholders, just think what huge improvements could be made

.... and no "fat cat" union bosses either !

[Western Pathfinder]

This just in .
http://www.lnerailway.co.uk.

[chuffed]

Can't help wondering how much worse GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) has to get, before Graying considers it a prime candidate for DoR

[Richard Fairhurst]

A few interesting nuances in the full statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/east-coast-rail-update

Particularly: "there is also an operational case for integrating Great Northern services from Kings Cross into the new LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) operation, and this is an option that I am asking my officials and the new LNER route board to do feasibility work on."

[didcotdean]

London and North Eastern Railways Ltd as a company was a name change from 'DFT^▸ (Department for Transport) OLR1 Ltd' back in February.

However, between 2013 and 2016 this company was called GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) Railways Ltd.

So maybe it had been prepared at that time for something that didn't occur ... does that match up with one of the award dates?

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) also have London Midland Trains Ltd, Transpennine Express Ltd, EM Trains Ltd, West Coast Mainline Ltd and Thameslink Ltd up their sleeve at present.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Interesting! There's a DFT^▸ (Department for Transport) OLR2 too (Operator of Last Resort, presumably).

[didcotdean]

There is also a British Rail Ltd but I can't see that making a comeback

[ChrisB]

Take over on June 24.

[Western Enterprise]

Wasn't the old LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) (pre '48) one of the poorest of the big 4, always struggling to pay their way and a divi to shareholders.....

Deja-vue all over again

[JayMac]

The Intercity East Coast franchise was first retendered in 2005. In the 13 years since, there have been five franchisees*. Every privately owned franchise has failed. That's not even 3 years per franchise. Just constant turmoil. Yet the Tories still argue that the privatisation model they chose works. Ideologically deluded fools.


*
Great North Eastern Railway
National Express East Coast
East Coast
Virgin Trains East Coast
London North Eastern Railway

[ChrisB]

Hmmm - for every failure, there's a winner.

I give you Chiltern Railways

[JayMac]

I'll see your Chiltern Railways and raise you Connex South Eastern. 

[eightf48544]

What's the Private part of the partnership of LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) PPI doesn't that have fat cats?

[Timmer]

I'll see your Chiltern Railways and raise you Connex South Eastern. 

And Connex South Central

[martyjon]

Another crystal ball failure, when WILL the present government realize that and let nationalization take its natural course.