Badly advised?

Telegrammed by The Archer
National Express seem very confident that their other franchises aren't at risk, under the Cross Default provisions.

Is this the same confidence that was exhibited when they signed the East Coast franchise all those years ago?

Perhaps time to return to the wise words of one Richard Bowker, as recorded by the The Daily Telegraph on 15th August 2007...

"We have had a very simple bidding philosophy,'' said Mr Bowker. ''We will not bid at levels we think are unsustainable or undeliverable - there's no point in being a hero for a day and a villain forever more afterwards."

Perhaps they have taken on new advisors?

Barbarian at the Gates?

Whilst ATOC self immolates finally some good news from the Brothers!

Regular readers of the Eye will be aware that ATOC has been unable to update their enthusiast guidelines owing to anyone who knows anything about the railway industry being defenestrated by Michael Roberts' new team.

However, in an unlikely turn of events, it falls to the Transport Salaried Staff Association to come to the rescue of hard pressed gricers!

Rail union TSSA are to challenge the ruling by National Express to ban train-spotters from their stations on the East Coast line.

Union general secretary Gerry Doherty, said, "Sir John Betjeman will be turning in his grave at this news. It means that the barbarians have finally taken over the industry. Only people with no sense of history would commit such an act of mindless vandalism."

The Fact Compiler feels that the term "barbarians" may be a little harsh.

Better Bowker's own words - "A villain forever more".

Bowker sets out his stall

***This from former Rail hack Will Green, now The Journal's Political Editor***

Perhaps Platinum Trains had a point?

Bowkerballs 2

By his own words shall you judge him!

This from the Daily Telegraph, 15th August 2007...

"We have had a very simple bidding philosophy,'' said Mr Bowker. ''We will not bid at levels we think are unsustainable or undeliverable - there's no point in being a hero for a day and a villain forever more afterwards."

A villain forever more.

Bowkerballs

Richard Bowker’s performance on the BBC’s working lunch programme may have caused one or two viewers a severe bout of indigestion.

The Silver Surfer argued that National Express East Coast should no longer be liable for the £1.4bn it has promised to pay the treasury, as the deal was signed in "a different economic climate" .

Good effort Rich!

Thanks for explaining this new 'Bowker's Law'.

Where else could it apply...

Suffering negative equity?

Just call your mortgage lender, mention you signed the deal "in a different economic climate" and demand a similar relaxing of repayment terms!

Bound to work - just say Rich sent you!