This just in from the Commuter...
At the end of last year Eye reported on the launch of Britain's first co-operative train company.
Like many open access plans in the past (Trotter Rail and Rutles Rail) I thought this was dead in the water.
That was until this plonked itself in my inbox a few hours ago:
Dear all,
Go! Co-operative - the UK's first co-operative train operating company - is launching its first route from Yeovil Junction to the Midlands via Oxford on 20th and 21st April.
See www.go-now.coop for venue details and more information.
Regards...
According to the launch invite they are planning on running a service from that well-known hub of industry and commerce Yeovil to Banbury (that's almost the Midlands isn't it?) via Melksham (where?) with future extensions to Birmingham and Weymouth.
How's that track access application to the ORR coming along?
UPDATE: The Fact Compiler observes...
Go! is not alone amongst proposed Open Access Operators in bigging up their plans.
Only today the BBC ran a puff piece from Devon & Cornwall Railway on their plans to run daily services between Okehampton and Exeter St David's from "late May 2010".
No doubt this to the delight of franchised operators First Great Western and Arriva Cross County with whom they will need to share track from Cowley Bridge Junction.
When the Eye visited the ORR website to see the status of their track access agreement, alas, the cupboard was bare...
UPDATE: The Fact Compiler offers a bowler tip to both WNXX and @swlines (a wise head on young shoulders)...
What have we here?
TRACK ACCESS CONTRACT (PASSENGER SERVICES)
Dated
16/03/2010
Between
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
and
DEVON AND CORNWALL RAILWAYS LIMITED
and
Application to the Office of Rail Regulation for a passenger track access
contract under section 17 of the Railways Act 1993
The Fact Compiler offers his unreserved apologies for doubting Devon & Cornwall's commitment...
