ValentaFan1974
Member
- Joined
- 8 Jul 2014
- Messages
- 225
Do we know when the launch date is?No connection - the CMA process is mainly an administrative one.
The brand launch date has been fixed for some time.
Do we know when the launch date is?No connection - the CMA process is mainly an administrative one.
The brand launch date has been fixed for some time.
If you want to be really pedantic, the Clyde is tidal underneath the Glasgow Central approaches, making it part of the coastline. The Mersey at Runcorn may well be similar.Yuck!
I'd avoid all mention of coast, as the route only lives up to the name for a few hundred yards at Hest Bank.
CMA concerns over West Coast rail franchise
The Competition and Markets Authority says it has raised concerns on 21 routes between Preston and Scotland under the new award of the West Coast Rail franchise.
It has teen looking into the award of West Coast Rail (WCR) to a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia.
After a 'phase one' investigation, the CMA said it concerned "this could lead to higher fares and less availability of cheaper tickets because train passengers would have no alternatives, or limited options, to choose from".
Looks as if the CMA has thrown a spanner in the works.
BBC Business News Live 7/11/19 07:03:
CMA concerns over West Coast rail franchise
The Competition and Markets Authority says it has raised concerns on 21 routes between Preston and Scotland under the new award of the West Coast Rail franchise.
It has teen looking into the award of West Coast Rail (WCR) to a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia.
After a 'phase one' investigation, the CMA said it concerned "this could lead to higher fares and less availability of cheaper tickets because train passengers would have no alternatives, or limited options, to choose from".
Looks as if the CMA has thrown a spanner in the works.
BBC Business News Live 7/11/19 07:03:
CMA concerns over West Coast rail franchise
Presumably this relates to TransPennine Express, as I can't think of any other FirstGroup operation that competes with anything long distance on the WCML?
CMA said:Following its initial Phase 1 investigation, the CMA has found competition concerns relating to 21 routes – 17 between Preston and Scotland (terminating at Glasgow or Edinburgh) and 4 between Oxenholme and Carlisle. This is because passengers will only be able to choose from West Coast Rail – operated by a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia – for 17 routes, or TransPennine Express, operated solely by FirstGroup. On the 4 remaining routes, passengers can only choose from 3 operators in total: West Coast Rail, TransPennine Express and one other operator.
If you want to be really pedantic, the Clyde is tidal underneath the Glasgow Central approaches, making it part of the coastline. The Mersey at Runcorn may well be similar.
This is largely an administrative procedure that all franchise winners have to go through.
Not forgetting the short stretch at Mossband over the tidal River Esk
21 routes between Preston and Scotland? They must be looking at an interesting map...The Competition and Markets Authority says it has raised concerns on 21 routes between Preston and Scotland under the new award of the West Coast Rail franchise.
21 routes between Preston and Scotland? They must be looking at an interesting map...
There are 10 stations:Seventeen between Preston & Scotland and four between Oxenholme and Carlisle according to the Evening Standard tonight.
Edinburgh/Glasgow to Carlisle, Penrith, Oxenholme, Lancaster, Preston is ten.
Lockerbie to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Penrith, Oxenholme, Lancaster, Preston is seven
Carlisle to Penrith and Oxenholme then Oxenholme to Penrith is three. I’m probably overthinking it but I can’t work out what the fourth is.
What! The whole point of the franchise is to link London with the West Mids and North West
& not the other way round?
& not the West Mids with the North West?
A tidal river does not a coast make!If you want to be really pedantic, the Clyde is tidal underneath the Glasgow Central approaches, making it part of the coastline. The Mersey at Runcorn may well be similar.
Carlisle to Penrith and Oxenholme then Oxenholme to Penrith is three. I’m probably overthinking it but I can’t work out what the fourth is.
Although not between Oxenholme and Carlisle, I would be surprised if there wasn't competition concern over Lancaster to Penrith
Is there much demand for that actual journey?
Is there much demand for that actual journey?
Imagine if the takeover had to be cancelled by the CMA and Virgin had to rebrand all of their trains again...
I have no idea what the process would be if the CMA refused the allocation of the Franchise (or even if they legally could) given that Virgin were excluded! Another extension? But what about WCP? Mind, if HS2 is cancelled or significantly modified presumably the WCP is also in question!
Virgin run the franchise like an airline with all that entails. It is a train service please.
I'm not exactly sure what that does entail....?
1. Virgin run the franchise like an airline with all that entails. It is a train service please.
2. Virgin have a misguided policy of never holding connections at stations they control. This is a mistake in my view and should be looked at by the new operator.