Rail Value for Money Study Interim Report Published

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Apologies if this has appeared elsewhere, but I thought it might be of interest:

Press Release - http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=202&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=416943&SubjectId=36

Report - http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/vfminterimreport/pdf/interimreport.pdf

Press release is also interesting for confirming that the Greater Western franchise will be retendered "for at least 15 years".

[Timmer]

I see that Virgin have announced that the intend to bid for the new West Coast franchise:
http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2010/12/virgin-rail-group-welcomes-todays-west.html

I have a feeling that the 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) franchise will come up for renewal in 2013 saving First having to pay the last three year's high premiums. Probably do some sort of deal with Dft to 'walk away' allowing Dft to introduce a bolder and longer franchise but with First still allowed to bid despite not taking up the final three years of the current franchise. Remember First have that trump card up their sleeve in the form of five HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) sets.