LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
This has popped up on the DfT web site http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/essex-thameside-franchise
It was due in "June", but has overtaken the GW ITT which was due in "May".
I'm not a specialist in the LTS world, but I was interested to see that new rolling stock was not ruled out in the ITT, which is for 15 years.
I think the Class 357s are currently leased till March 2013 and it is not mandated that they are used thereafter (though I expect there is little immediate choice).
Bidders are asked for their rolling stock plans to cater for growth on the LTS system. It mentions the possible use of "Metro" high-capacity stock.
Bids in by 27 September (bidders are Abellio, First, MTR and NX), winner announced Jan 2013, startup May 2013.
It was due in "June", but has overtaken the GW ITT which was due in "May".
I'm not a specialist in the LTS world, but I was interested to see that new rolling stock was not ruled out in the ITT, which is for 15 years.
I think the Class 357s are currently leased till March 2013 and it is not mandated that they are used thereafter (though I expect there is little immediate choice).
Bidders are asked for their rolling stock plans to cater for growth on the LTS system. It mentions the possible use of "Metro" high-capacity stock.
Bids in by 27 September (bidders are Abellio, First, MTR and NX), winner announced Jan 2013, startup May 2013.