item 10. rail update great western franchise 7 march 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Item 10. Rail UpdateGreat Western Franchise
7 March 2012
Great Western Franchise
Consultation Dec 2011 to March 2012
Invitation to tender May 2012
Bids submitted Aug 2012
Award announced End 2012
Franchise starts April 2013
Franchise objectives
•Effectively manage franchise changes
•Provide appropriate capacity
•Improve passenger experience
•Punctuality and reliability
•Cost effective and efficient
•Possible devolution
West of England prioritiesRail Conference Top Three
•Greater Bristol Metro
•Re-open Portishead line
•Additional rolling stock
Other
•Electrification – extensions and EMUs
•Services, ticketing, stations, future aspirations
Key franchise issues•15 year franchise
•Current level of service = baseline
•Modest objectives
•Increment/decrement = ‘priced option’ approach
•Operator determine rolling stock and timetable
•Devolution to follow?
•34 Questions
Franchise Questions
•Factors influencing local passenger demand (Q2)•Investment priorities (Q5)•Devolved train services (Q8)•Franchise specification – mandated/discretion (Q10)•Train service changes (Q21)•Performance areas of concern (Q24)•Station enhancements and accessibility (Q25 and Q33)•Security (Q28), Ticketing (Q29) and Catering (Q31)
Neighbouring authorities•Additional Cardiff to Portsmouth stopping service and Wiltshire towns
•Train lengthening (Cardiff/Portsmouth/Taunton/Gloucester/Westbury)
•Four tracking of Filton Bank
•Bristol to Oxford service
•Ebbw Vale to Bristol Parkway
•New diesel fleet for the South West
Potential Bidders
•First Great Western
•Arriva (Deutsche Bahn)
•Network Express
•South West Trains (Stagecoach)
•Go-ahead (with SNCF) – withdrew
•Renfe (Spanish state company)
Implementing prioritiesDfT criteria
•Deliverability, robustness and operational impact
•Value for money
•Phased approach – 15 year franchise
•Evidence and business case – technical work
= Art of the possible!
Greater Bristol MetroEvidence and business case
Technical work David Crockett and Graeme
Pollard
Halcrow
Franchise response
•Covering letter and report
•Priorities for new franchise
•Greater Bristol Metro Phase 1 and 2
•Detailed response to 34 questions
• Technical evidence