First Great Western to Give up Franchise?

[whole diary]

[Ollie]

I think it's interesting to note that any news reports trying to find a 'negative' message seem to have to go back to the 'fare strikes' of 2008 - since then, generally, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have gradually but steadily improved, and they haven't lost any significant ground.

Indeed the fares strike that was done by people who erm, had tickets..

[anthony215]

I do hope FGW^▸ (First Great Western) retain the great western franchise although i wouldn't mind  the new IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.)'s to be painted in the great western  merlin livery at least that would save the need to repaint the trains each time there is a change in franchise. If FGW do get a longer franchise maybe they would be willing to pay for the line between Bristol TM^‡(resolve) & Taunton/Exeter St Davids to be wired.

That  would allow them to use EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit)'s on Cardiff/Bristol Parkway - Weston Super Mare/Taunton services. The EMU's could be those which are currently used on Heathrow connect  services which are likely to be replaced by the crossrail EMU's

[paul7575]

Painting of trains and units is necessary anyway - the idea that whenever a franchise changes hands the new TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) rushes out and repaints everything on a whim doesn't stand up.  What usually happens is it is done when due or almost due anyway.  With the new franchise potentially being 15 years or so, stock will probably have to be repainted mid term. 

Anyway, didn't the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) propose a while ago that all intercity stock would gradually become 'silver grey'?  Maybe IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) at least will all look basically the same?

A TOC undertaking wiring work isn't likely unless new franchises are completely different to those currently in place - and all they seem to be proposing so far is that TOCs will have full repairing leases of stations - nothing about track and infrastructure.

Paul

[centralman]

I could just imagine... Arriva Great Western...

I guess you know that Arriva is owned by the German Firm Deutsche Bahn?

I was thinking if they won it, called it Deutsche Bahn Great Western!!

I'm a little suprised they are giving it up early, but somehow I think they will win it again anyway.

[anthony215]

As said before they are not really giving it up just not taking up the 3 year extension. I would place my money one first wining the new franchise.

I know they made a lot of mistake  and had a few problems not all of which was First's fault, although they do have a bit to go.

[Timmer]

I fully expect First to win and wouldn't have a problem with them winning if they come up with a bold plan for this franchise which it sounds like that they want the chance to be able to do. No one could have expected them to extend the current franchise with such hefty payments due in the last three years especially with all that is happening on the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) over the next few years.

[ChrisB]

I think they stand a good chance if the decisuion was being taken now.

Whether a win for them on the West Coast would change DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) thinking?....

[Timmer]

Whether a win for them on the West Coast would change DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) thinking?....

Well if First do win the West Coast franchise they may not have any money left to bid for the Great Western Franchise if what Tony Miles (Modern Railways) says turns out to be true and I find it hard to disagree with him in these times where the government is looking for every penny it can get/save...even if they are just rumours:
https://groups.google.com/group/uk.railway/browse_thread/thread/227064e8ca828545?hl=en#

Rumours are that Hammond is coming down in favour of "how much money will you give me for this franchise?" - with no specification for ANY customer service aspect or even timetables etc. We all know what has happened to onboard service at TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) where "the bottom line" has been the only thing that matters - AXC^» (Arriva Cross Country - about) and NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) as examples.

Hammond is being revealed as another Tory who only wants as much money out of the railways and has little or no interest in how customers are treated...that's from insiders getting some briefings on what he wants from the next franchise

[ChrisB]

That'll be a disaster if he goes that route.

Modern Railways, you say? Hmmm :-)

[grahame]

Just musing ...

The ultimate model following the "hands off" approach lets anyone run any trains they like (subject to safety regime), and charge any fares they like.   Payment of a license fee for each vehicle (or each kilogram-kilometer run) to the folks who maintain the infrastructure, and heavy taxes on fuel ... and you end up with a model that looks very much like the road.  No need for any performance targets as people will switch from operators who are always cancelling / very late. True free market in vehicle supply.  Probably a few congestion problems - yellow lines on platform edges to indicate how long train can stop there for. Very limited through ticketing, and you usually have to catch the right operator's trains for your ticket to be accepted. No national conditions of carriage - all potentially different. New public services can be started and existing ones altered / discontinued at six weeks notice.

[JayMac]

Which, of course, many of the existing rail operating parent companies would have few problems with. Seeing as how many of their subdivisions already work under such a "hand's off" model.

[IndustryInsider]

No sign of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) resting on their laurels as serious consideration is being given to trying to run a couple of FGW services back to Stratford-Upon-Avon from Paddington.  Apparently the big-wigs in Stratford aren't especially happy with the service provided by Chiltern, and there may be a business case for extra services based on the fact that a lot of the tourist trade find the Paddington (via Windsor and Oxford) to Stratford route a much more appealing prospect.

Also, more longer term (if awarded the next franchise) then possible electrification of the branches (as mentioned previously) as well as a commitment to run the East-West Rail Link, with a possible Milton Keynes to Gatwick via Oxford/Reading service, might all form part of the deal.

[ChrisB]

Also, more longer term (if awarded the next franchise) then possible electrification of the branches (as mentioned previously) as well as a commitment to run the East-West Rail Link, with a possible Milton Keynes to Gatwick via Oxford/Reading service, might all form part of the deal.

ooohhh, I think Chiltern might have something to say to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) about that....

[IndustryInsider]

They might.  Though apparently the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) would prefer it to go on the Greater Western franchise.  Early days though, but worth keeping an eye on.

[ChrisB]

Blimey - and it hasn't passed GRIP5 yet......

Personally, I think that's bigging up the franchise by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) putting down a wishlist....technically, it doesn't exist yet as a public asset as it hasn't got any public funding.