RENFE to bid for ECML and GWML

[swtandgw]

http://www.rail.co/2011/11/24/spains-renfe-to-submit-bids-for-uk-rail-franchises/
That would be very interesting, considering that we've already experienced several European national train operating companies. I wonder what the resulting names would be, and if RENFE roll out their corporate theme and service sub-brands throughout the franchises?

 

[anthony263]

Well I am glad to see some more competition in the industry

 

[amcluesent]

Tapas and tempranillo for ECML FC complimentaries?

That said, I though Spain had gone bust like the rest of Club Med Euro coutries.

 

[gordonthemoron]

that's probably why RENFE want to spread out

 

[swtandgw]

Tapas and tempranillo for ECML FC complimentaries?

That said, I though Spain had gone bust like the rest of Club Med Euro coutries.

I'd very much be up for that, and maybe some paella too?

 

[Nym]

<<Hola, una Jambon y Queso PVP ..... zi... zi.... Coño! Meh, dos tropicál PVP....>>

It's proberbly not spelled right, please don't critisize it that much, I only lived there so can only really speak it, not type it...

 

[pemma]

I wonder if they would plan to install the Spanish style PIS system which has 15" LCD screens that display the next station, have a scrolling list of all stations. As well as displaying the current time, exterior temperature and speed the train is travelling at.

 

[Nym]

DDA Says LED Scrolling screens for PIS IIRC...

 

[Schnellzug]

really? Well, that's something a bit different. They certainly have an impressive high speed network, although that's slowed down a bit since the Government realised that they didn't have any money left. So perhaps they've figured that this way, they could get some British Taxpayers' Money, in addition to the £50 million a day we give to the EU*.
*Thank you, Daily Mail
Of course, it rarely makes much difference in practice, everyone thought that DB would bring Ruthless German Efficiency, didn't they.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
..

I wonder what the resulting names would be,?

Primera Gran Occidental. :-?

 

[swtandgw]

DDA Says LED Scrolling screens for PIS IIRC...

Something like what the Class 446/447 Cercanías stock has?

 

[Nym]

Only ever been on spanish buses tbh, and they wern't technically spanish... Was Canarian...

 

[pemma]

Only ever been on spanish buses tbh, and they wern't technically spanish... Was Canarian...

Spanish trains sometimes leave up to 2 minutes early. They use single track sections brilliantly.

 

[Bungle73]

British Taxpayers' Money, in addition to the £50 million a day we give to the EU*.
*Thank you, Daily Mail

You don't take anything written in that rag seriously do you?

 

[swtandgw]

Primera Gran Occidental. :-?

Somewhere along the lines, although I was thinking more of Larga/Media Distancia Gran Occidental for long-distance HST and IEP services, Cercanías Tamesis for the commuter services out of Paddington, and Regionales Gran Occidental for local services in the West.

 

[Schnellzug]

You don't take anything written in that rag seriously do you?

Don't worry, my tongue may have been in my cheek.

 

[Bungle73]

Don't worry, my tongue may have been in my cheek.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The DfT pre-qualification process for franchises does not exclude bidders without UK rail experience, but I can't think of any awarded since the first round.
Most new players start by acquiring existing franchisees (like DB) or by partnering with one (eg Keolis).
Both RENFE and Trenitalia failed the WC and EA prequals, possibly for this reason (though we don't know).
Who could RENFE acquire/partner with to build their UK experience?
It's too late to take an interest in GC, and I can't think of another passenger operator looking to partner or exit.

 

[Railsigns]

<<Hola, una Jambon y Queso PVP ..... zi... zi.... Coño! Meh, dos tropicál PVP....>>

It's proberbly not spelled right, please don't critisize it that much, I only lived there so can only really speak it, not type it...

Are you referring to your Spanish or your English? I can't decide.

 

[PR1Berske]

It would be interesting to have a new player in the market.....but I can't see the DfT entertaining the idea. Too many "friends" in the industry for that.

 

[gordonthemoron]

aren't FS (ie Trentitalia) a disaster area?

 

[Schnellzug]

The DfT pre-qualification process for franchises does not exclude bidders without UK rail experience, but I can't think of any awarded since the first round.
Most new players start by acquiring existing franchisees (like DB) or by partnering with one (eg Keolis).
Both RENFE and Trenitalia failed the WC and EA prequals, possibly for this reason (though we don't know).
Who could RENFE acquire/partner with to build their UK experience?
It's too late to take an interest in GC, and I can't think of another passenger operator looking to partner or exit.

perhaps they might acquire Go Ahead, or their rail operations at least.

 

[WestCoast]

Only ever been on spanish buses tbh, and they wern't technically spanish... Was Canarian...

A Canarian bus is a guagua (wah-wah)

RENFE certainly have experience operating some (very good in my experience) intercity rail services. Immaculate stations and rolling stock.

However, since everything is micro-managed by the DfT, I personally doubt them winning the franchise would equate to much.

 

[185]

Wah-wah

.......akin to a jump-jet in Tenerife, rather fast.

Renfe? Oh lordy... Paella and Sangria in 1st class?

Think they are very good, some lovely trains & stations over there.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

perhaps they might acquire Go Ahead, or their rail operations at least.

Go-Ahead franchises are actually doing well, and they have just appointed a development director for new bids (Alex Hynes), so it's unlikely they want to opt out.
With Keolis bidding separately maybe there is room for another partner, but they are on record as saying they don't want long-distance or regional TOCs and will concentrate on NSE-type franchises.
This would seem to eliminate EC and GW.

 

[WestCoast]

They are pretty good, but like France, regional rail services in Spain aren't up to much in terms of service and coverage.

DB, NS, SNCF and now perhaps RENFE in terms of European operators. Interesting times ahead, more potential franchisees in the arena is good news if you ask me.

What they do in their home countries is not an indication of how they will perform here. Funding structures and needs are vastly different.

NS's frequent high capacity network with umpteen coach double deckers isn't exactly comparable to their Northern Rail franchise is it?

 

[PR1Berske]

I would be happy if they want to try running Northern Rail......now, if they want.

Anything is better than what we've got at the moment :uhoh:

 

[WestCoast]

I would be happy if they want to try running Northern Rail......now, if they want.

Anything is better than what we've got at the moment :uhoh:

First North Western, no thank you!

I reckon NS/Serco do a decent job with the limited and aged rolling stock they have! I sincerely doubt RENFE would be able to do any better....

The Dft is controlling every franchise don't forget.

I think we've been down this route quite a few times.....

 

[tbtc]

I reckon NS/Serco do a decent job with the limited and aged rolling stock they have! I sincerely doubt RENFE would be able to do any better....

Agreed.

I don't think any Northern passengers would notice the Dutch influence over the train service, in the way that I doubt any Spanish-run TOC would be remotely Spanish - for similar reasons I doubt that Arriva's continental operations appeared very "British"...

 

[gordonthemoron]

or German these days

 

[Schnellzug]

Agreed.

I don't think any Northern passengers would notice the Dutch influence over the train service, in the way that I doubt any Spanish-run TOC would be remotely Spanish - for similar reasons I doubt that Arriva's continental operations appeared very "British"...

You mean the staff didn't all wear bowler hats and drink warm beer?

I must say I was disappointed after DB took over everything in sight- I mean XC, that they didn't provide Wurst from the catering trolleys and wear lederhosen and schnitzel.


(*There, you thought I was going to mention the war.*)