West Coast franchise prequalification

Sources suggesting that Virgin, Abellio, First, and a Keolis/SNCF joint venture have prequalified for the West Coast franchise.

Happily, for fans of WiFi, DB/Arriva failed to make the grade.

More to follow...

UPDATE: This from the DfT...

SHORTLISTED BIDDERS FOR GREATER ANGLIA AND INTERCITY WEST COAST RAIL FRANCHISES

The Department for Transport has today announced the names of the companies shortlisted to bid for the new Greater Anglia and InterCity West Coast franchises.

They are:

For Greater Anglia

• Abellio Greater Anglia Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
• Eastern Railway Limited (Go-Ahead Group PLC)
• Stagecoach Anglia Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)

For InterCity West Coast:

• Abellio InterCity West Coast Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
• First West Coast Limited (FirstGroup plc)
• Keolis / SNCF West Coast Limited (Keolis SA and SNCF)
• Virgin Trains Limited (Virgin Group Holdings Limited)

Today's short listing comes after the Government published requirements for the two franchises, seeking expressions of interest.

The Invitation to Tender for the Greater Anglia franchise will be issued in April.

The Government has set out the following objectives for the franchise:

• Delivering a quality of service for passengers for the entire rail journey.
• Working with the Department and other stakeholders to ensure value
• for money.
• Managing and delivering changes required to accommodate Crossrail.
• Implementing the station responsibilities if required.
• Working effectively with Network Rail to maintain performance.
• Delivering the plans around the Olympics.
• Managing the introduction of the Class 379 HLOS vehicles.
• Controlling operational costs and maximising revenue.

The consultation on the InterCIty West Coast franchise is still ongoing and closes on 21 April.

Responses to the consultation will inform the Invitation to Tender which will be issued in May.

The Government has set out the following objectives for the franchise:

• To exploit the full potential of the route and maximize capacity.
• To manage effectively the integration of new rolling stock vehicles.
• To improve overall passenger satisfaction.
• To deliver the agreed Olympic services.
• To improve accessibility to services and stations.
• To improve the environmental performance of the franchise.
• To manage effectively any changes during the franchise.
• To achieve sustainable value for money.

- ENDS -