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WCML InterCity Franchise

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Whistler40145

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Who are the bidders involved in the West Coast Mainline InterCity Franchise?

Which would be the best option?
 
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Agent_Squash

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FirstGroup/Trenitalia and MTR/Guangshen/RENFE.

Stagecoach/Virgin/SNCF, in my opinion the best option, have been disqualified due to the recent pensions debacle with the DfT (although it looks increasingly likely a judicial review is coming). I fail to see any advantages with the two other bidders.
 

Bletchleyite

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I don't really like any of the options, as I don't want a Romance style HSR operator involved. I would like to have seen a bid involving a UK operation and DB AG, though NOT via Arriva, via DB Fernverkehr directly.

(HSR in China is "Romance style" - non-clockface timetabling and compulsory reservations/airline style pricing)
 

Whistler40145

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Considering that when the franchise was up the previous time and First Group won and then the Government made a complete mess of it and ended up with Virgin still operating the service on a contract, we don't wish to have the same problem twice.
 

Bletchleyite

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Considering that when the franchise was up the previous time and First Group won and then the Government made a complete mess of it and ended up with Virgin still operating the service on a contract, we don't wish to have the same problem twice.

I would be happy with another extension for Virgin Rail Group, given that even if the Stagecoach bid had succeeded that operation would end this year anyway.

Of the two, I think I prefer the MTR bid as it isn't FirstGroup. But there's not a lot in it between the consortia, and I haven't seen the proposals for either as they are still confidential until an award is made.
 

Whistler40145

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Would any bid including Arriva, even if it was a part of a consortium?

Northern Rail is part of the Arriva group and run out of Blackpool North to Preston
If the WCML franchise was under another Arriva operator, they would have a complete monopoly on InterCity and local services, then there's the new open access services starting in September, part of the Grand Central company, which I believe is owned by Arriva, this would lead to different TOCs on that section, but in a round about way owned by one big organisation
 

cactustwirly

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I don't really like any of the options, as I don't want a Romance style HSR operator involved. I would like to have seen a bid involving a UK operation and DB AG, though NOT via Arriva, via DB Fernverkehr directly.

(HSR in China is "Romance style" - non-clockface timetabling and compulsory reservations/airline style pricing)

Hmm, not sure DB fern is the best operator tbh!
OeBB is a much more competent operator, and technically high speed between Linz and Vienna!

My preference is First/Trenitalia, First have a good track record with FGW (not so much GWR)
 

Whistler40145

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Hmm, not sure DB fern is the best operator tbh!
OeBB is a much more competent operator, and technically high speed between Linz and Vienna!

My preference is First/Trenitalia, First have a good track record with FGW (not so much GWR)
I'm thinking that the First/Trenitalia joint bid is favourable.

First operate the Transpennine Express franchise, which is long distance, so have experience.
 

Whistler40145

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Obviously in the short term, the winning bidder inherits the Pendolino and Voyager fleets.

Will we see any changes to services?
 

class387

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I don't really like any of the options, as I don't want a Romance style HSR operator involved. I would like to have seen a bid involving a UK operation and DB AG, though NOT via Arriva, via DB Fernverkehr directly.

(HSR in China is "Romance style" - non-clockface timetabling and compulsory reservations/airline style pricing)
Agreed, though Chinese HSR is fixed pricing based on distance, with very cheap fares but no advance discounts.
 

dk1

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Considering that when the franchise was up the previous time and First Group won and then the Government made a complete mess of it and ended up with Virgin still operating the service on a contract, we don't wish to have the same problem twice.
Oh I don't know. That sounds a perfect result in my opinion.
 

fgwrich

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Obviously in the short term, the winning bidder inherits the Pendolino and Voyager fleets.

Will we see any changes to services?

Probably not much in the way of changes to start with, but I reckon we'll then see gradual change as HS2 becomes ever closer.

As for the fleets - it will be interesting to see what happens with them. I believe Alstom is currently working hard to reduce the costs of the expensive Pendolino fleet as some of the bidders had considered them too expensive, and it was rumoured that some were looking as possibly dumping them - such is the climate of cheaper newer rolling stock these days!
 

ForTheLoveOf

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I find it utterly pointless trying to compare the bidders based on what they do on other TOCs. There can be no meaningful comparison as the circumstances are inevitably different.

We'd need to know the details of the companies' bids to make any kind of determination as to what bid is best. And it just so happens there's a government department dedicated to doing just that. (Although its competence is the subject of extensive debate :lol:)
 
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Whistler40145

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Probably not much in the way of changes to start with, but I reckon we'll then see gradual change as HS2 becomes ever closer.

As for the fleets - it will be interesting to see what happens with them. I believe Alstom is currently working hard to reduce the costs of the expensive Pendolino fleet as some of the bidders had considered them too expensive, and it was rumoured that some were looking as possibly dumping them - such is the climate of cheaper newer rolling stock these days!
That's going to be very interesting, especially if whoever wins dumps the Pendolino fleet in the future.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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Would any bid including Arriva, even if it was a part of a consortium?
Northern Rail is part of the Arriva group and run out of Blackpool North to Preston
If the WCML franchise was under another Arriva operator, they would have a complete monopoly on InterCity and local services, then there's the new open access services starting in September, part of the Grand Central company, which I believe is owned by Arriva, this would lead to different TOCs on that section, but in a round about way owned by one big organisation

Arriva didn't make the short list.

Don't forget the new franchise is all about HS2 and the transition from current ICWC services.
The winner will have to use the rolling stock bought for them by HS2 Ltd (separate competition).
The challenges for this franchise will be of a different order to our current domestic TOCs, and the winner will be fighting with DfT and HS2 Ltd from Day 1.

It's hard to guess what style HS2 services will take.
Both Trenitalia and RENFE run decent high speed services, no idea about MTR/Guangshen (the HS route from Hong Kong has only just opened).
Trenitalia's retail platform has turned up at c2c I believe.
RENFE has a completely naff retail web site which can't even handle connections properly.
Guangshen's is in Chinese, so hard to tell.
The absence of Virgin/Stagecoach/SNCF leaves a big hole.
 

The Planner

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then there's the new open access services starting in September, part of the Grand Central company, which I believe is owned by Arriva, this would lead to different TOCs on that section, but in a round about way owned by one big organisation
:lol::lol::lol: You won't see GNWR to Blackpool this side of 2020.
 

hwl

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The challenges for this franchise will be of a different order to our current domestic TOCs, and the winner will be fighting with DfT and HS2 Ltd from Day 1.

Even what GTR has done for the last few years?
 

LNW-GW Joint

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Even what GTR has done for the last few years?

I meant really in terms of the political context, and service planning, rather than "running trains".
If you see what I mean!
It will be where Network Rail collides with HS2 Ltd.
 

hwl

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I meant really in terms of the political context, and service planning, rather than "running trains".
If you see what I mean!
It will be where Network Rail collides with HS2 Ltd.
I do see what you mean but GTR did lots of service planning and ripped up several sets of plans (inc. pre taking over), I suspect you don't realise how much GTR did and is still doing. GTR has /is adding more new rolling stock than all the existing VT stock and DOUBLE all the HS2 captive stock. Driver recruitment and training off the scale compared to what the West Coast operator will have to do.
 
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Japan0913

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This franchise is
unlike other, unlike until now,
is essential to safely operate the ultra-high-speed rail.
If a mistake can lead to major accidents.

MTR likes, FirstGroup is hate, Toka, is not a matter of preference.
The high-speed rail operator (Guangshen Railway Company & Renfe / Trenitalia ) a good track record, which is the entry should be the highest priority.

Passenger is you.
 

dk1

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That's going to be very interesting, especially if whoever wins dumps the Pendolino fleet in the future.
Bearing in mind most are mid-life already it's not as bad as it sounds. Going to be a few more years yet & nothing will change before 2026 at the earliest due to the nature of operation on the WCML.
 

Rail Blues

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That's going to be very interesting, especially if whoever wins dumps the Pendolino fleet in the future.

Forgive my ignorance, but who else has recent experience of manufacturering tilt enabled stock?

Won't a relatively small order of tilting stock to British loading gauge be prohibitively expensive, especially if competition is likely to be limited?
 
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Bemused how operatives from the other side of the world can confidently take on the defined benefit pension liabilities....
 

whhistle

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Stagecoach/Virgin/SNCF, in my opinion the best option.
The best option?
And you say that (I guess) with no knowledge of their bid or what they proposed, nor what the others proposed?

Or do you mean, you like Virgin as a company and wanted them to win?
Because "the best" and "what I want" are two very different things.
 

bionic

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Personally I'll be glad to see the back of Virgin. I can't stand their PR. Their trains are cramped, devoid of enough luggage space, devoid of enough windows and natural daylight (London to Glasgow staring at plastic wall and back of seat), the toilets stink out the vestibule ends, the stations they manage are desperately needing investment and they dress it all up with ridiculous branding and PR speak (arrive AWESOME, talking toilet etc). They make out it's good when its basically just crap. I'd take any operator over Virgin. They've had twenty years and now it's time to get off the pot.

I know a new franchise wont see new trains any time soon, but I hope when they do finally get them they take into account the fact that people sitting on a train for hours might want to be able to see out the window. Pendolinos are awful trains. I'd much rather sit on a 350 and get there slower.
 

Western Lord

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Forgive my ignorance, but who else has recent experience of manufacturering tilt enabled stock?

Won't a relatively small order of tilting stock to British loading gauge be prohibitively expensive, especially if competition is likely to be limited?
When HS2 is open and all principal inter city trains are operated by the new (non tilting) high speed stock, there will be absolutely no justification for (expensive) tilting trains on the WCML. Expect to see speed limits harmonised in order to increase line capacity.
 
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