30.08.16
West Midlands ITT puts limits on frequency of commuter services
Services from key towns in the West Midlands will be cut under the new franchise despite fears that this will make commuting harder.
The DfT published the invitation to tender (ITT) for the new franchise today. In its response to the consultation on the new franchise, the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority said that proposals to cut the number of trains stopping at towns on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) would make commuting ‘almost impossible’.
However, the newly published ITT contains a number of limitations on the number of services that can be operated on the WCML.
For example, bidders cannot operate more than six trains an hour in each direction between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton and seven between 8.00am and 8.59am on weekdays, compared to the nine services an hour running now.
There will be an additional train between Birmingham New Street and Bushbury Junction, but this is not required to call at Wolverhampton.
The number of trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes is also limited to five an hour during the morning commute, four during the evening commute and three at other times.
Services are also limited to two an hour between Crewe and Weaver Junction and one an hour between Rugby and Crewe and between Stafford and Crewe.
However, there will be an additional extension of one train an hour from Birmingham New Street to Weaver Junction, calling at Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford and Crewe.
In addition, the ITT says that a minimum of 95% of passenger services each week must wholly operate on electrified services.
The ITT also warns that the DfT “has particular concerns regarding the merger control implications of the same operating group winning both the franchise and the InterCity West Coast rail operations”.
It says this could “increase the risk” of intervention by a competition authority, which could delay the franchise awarding process and make it less likely that the winning bidder will be able to operate one or both franchises.
The integration of the Arriva and Northern franchises was halted by the Competition and Markets Authority over competition concerns.
The DfT said the new franchise would provide capacity for an additional 20,000 passengers at peak times. It added that it requires a franchisee who will, by the end of 2021, refurbish all pre-1995 rolling stock that will form part of the train fleet after the end of 2022. Additionally, if a franchisee proposes to procure new trains as part of their fleet strategy it must ensure that those trains are designed in such a way as to minimise the future costs of fitting ETCS equipment, and can be operated under Driver Controlled Operation (DCO).
The Department also requires a franchisee’s fleet strategy to provide sufficient suitable rolling stock to enable it to deploy electric rolling stock to operate a minimum of 95% of passenger services each week that operate wholly on electrified routes.
Paul Maynard MP, the minister for rail, said: “We are making the biggest investment in the railways since the Victorian era and today marks a key step forward in giving passengers better journeys across the West Midlands and beyond.
“This franchise serves both commuters and long distance passengers and these benefits will deliver extra and smoother journeys for customers using these services.”
Cllr Mark Winnington, chair of West Midlands Rail and Staffordshire county council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Today’s announcement is a game changer in that it is the first time the West Midlands has had this level of involvement in shaping what a train company has to deliver for local passengers.
“The region has come together to grab this devolution opportunity with both hands and we believe that together with the Department for Transport we have set out a railway that brings real benefits not only for passengers but also for local businesses, supporting economic growth and jobs.
“The authorities of the West Midlands are united in this and believe the region better understands what it needs from its railway and that having greater responsibility for its management is good for passengers, good for the economy and good for taxpayers.”
The West Midlands franchise competition is between the existing operator London Midland, owned by Govia, and West Midlands Trains, owned by Abellio with East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Ltd as minority partners.
MTR Corporation West Midlands was originally shortlisted to submit a bid, but unexpectedly announced that it was withdrawing in June.
The companies now have until 29 November to submit a bid, with the new operator due to take over in October 2017.