These are the new timings Merseyrail is aiming for:
Chester - Liverpool Central current 45m target 39m saving 6m
West Kirby - Liverpool Central 34m 29m 5m
Ellesmere Port - Liverpool Central 40m 34m 6m
New Brighton - Liverpool Central 27m 22m 5m
Ormskirk - Liverpool Central 30m 26m 4m
Kirkby - Liverpool Central 18m 16m 2m
Southport – Liverpool Central 46m 40m 6m
Hunts Cross – Liverpool Central 18m 15m 3m
Refurbishment of existing fleet if no replacement stock sought would cost £150m.
Predicted annual growth in patronage 2.5%, predict that new faster air conditioned rolling stock will increase patronage a further 8% over 10 years and that £4.7-5m a year in extra revenue would be directly attributable to more modern rolling stock. New rolling stock will however cost £12m more annually to lease compared to continued use of existing stock. Since the increase in revenue will not cover the increased cost they have to achieve efficiency savings. Savings in maintenance from a younger fleet and lower electricity cost through regenerative braking would be around £2m a year. Both depots owned by NR are obsolete and not fit for purpose in maintaining new stock so £73m of infrastructure investment required which would also include reinforcing the power supply at the extremities of the network, bringing platform height and distances up to Network Rail code. Currently believed Merseytravel will fund 100% of infrastructure works but they are working with NR to see if alternate funding could be identified for platform works and power supply. Rolling stock contract winner would be responsible for upgrading the two depots and installing a new washplant.
£450m 35 year loan would be taken out with the PWLB and the European Infrastructure Bank, loan interest would be £24m per year. Rolling stock would be leased to the concession holder by Merseytravel and loan capital recouped nominally over a straight line 35 year period with formula reflecting some annual variation to costs and maintenance. Current concession holder until 2028 is protected by a no net loss/no net gain clause but they will be able to more aggressively recoup costs from the following concession holder.
While Merseytravel looked to see whether a local supply chain could be prioritised they found there were no local suppliers so the beneficiaries will be outside the city region, possibly outside the UK and potentially even the EU. The rolling stock maintenance does offer more freedom within the limits of EU procurement law to for example prioritise local apprenticeships.
http://moderngov.merseytravel.uk.ne...tice for the Procurement of Rolling Stock.pdf