First impressions:
We're going to have to wait quite a while for some of these new services.
2tph Wrexham-Bidston is not till 2021.
158s, and presumably 175s, stay around until 2022/23, so the new CAF? DMUs are not coming quickly.
Chester station upgrade (whatever that is) is not till 2028!
LHCS is 3tpd Holyhead-Cardiff, so not Manchester-Holyhead or Manchester-Cardiff
2-car DMUs on Milford Haven-Manchester and elsewhere is not an upgrade.
In fact why are we persisting with 2-car trains with poor per-vehicle economics?
And personally I prefer to see the driver in a proper cab and not a broom cupboard for a 200+ mile journey.
The changes in fares for under 11s and 16-18s presumably is on Welsh-only routes (would be entertaining on shared English routes otherwise).
How will that work with other operators within Wales (eg ICGW, ICWC/WCP)?
Nothing much said about services in England (eg to Manchester/Birmingham airports, or to Bristol).
There's a danger of the 60mph D-Train units clogging up the 90mph main lines while working to/from their designated lines (eg Chester-Crewe shuttle) - that would be unwelcome.
I have yet to discover how the franchise is being contracted.
All the announcements talk about "we", but it's not clear who "we" is - TfW or KeolisAmey.
This is now on the KeolisAmey web site:
http://www.keolisamey.cymru/news-an...es-and-borders-network-and-south-wales-metro/
KEOLISAMEY today (June 4) unveiled bold plans for the Wales and Borders rail network and the development of the South Wales Metro working in partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW). £1.9billion, from a range of sources, including the Welsh Government will be invested to achieve these plans
I can't see anything about rolling stock contracts, or depot policy (aside from Machynlleth).
In any case the Metro vehicle spec is apparently not finalised, so early orders are unlikely.
The KA contract and handover phase from ATW starts today.
2tph Chester-Wrexham is probably feasible with the reduced upgrade, but not at all clockface hours. The services might be imbalanced as a result.
The improvements and general ambition are to be welcomed, especially after the ATW straightjacket, but I'm less impressed the more I read.
I haven't seen anything on branding, apart from the colour scheme and Metro logos which look fine.
A lot of Arriva green (and even some FNW green and FirstGroup lilac) will have to be replaced!
What will be plastered on the trains outside the Metro area?