DfT outsources data collection to Labour

What are we to make of this response?

East Coast Rail Franchise

Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2017 to Question 116801, how much Virgin Trains East Coast paid in premium payments (a) from the commencement of the franchise in 2015 to date and (b) will pay in each year until 2023-2024.

Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys): The current East Coast franchise operated by Virgin Trains East Coast commenced 1st March 2015. An announcement of the expected premium over the duration of the contract was made at franchise award. All premiums due to date under the contract have been paid. Payments by franchised operators are published by ORR annually and can be found on their website. We have set out our plans to end the operational divide between track and train, and from 2020 we are establishing the East Coast Partnership, one of the first of a new generation of integrated regional rail operations. This will be subject to a competitive process, and will include appropriate premiums paid from the private partner to the Government.

This is unhelpful to the point of wilfull obstruction.

DfT has a spreadsheet of premium payments year by year on its website so why not simply provide a link?

Perhaps because the subsidy spreadsheet on the DfT website stops at 2015-16. The next update (for 2016-17) was due in August 2017 but it ain't there.

No doubt the DfT is hoping McDonald can find the information on the ORR website and pass it on to New Minster House?

East Coast bidders announced

This from the Department for Transport...

The shortlist of bidders that will be invited to deliver proposals for improved services for passengers on the InterCity East Coast rail franchise was announced by the government today (17 January).

The companies that have successfully passed the Pre-Qualification Evaluation stage and can now start working on developing their plans for the franchise, before they receive the government’s Invitation to Tender are:

• East Coast Trains Ltd (First Group plc);
• Keolis/Eurostar East Coast Limited (Keolis (UK) Limited and Eurostar International Limited);
• Inter City Railways Limited (Stagecoach Transport Holdings Limited and Virgin Holdings Limited).

These potential operators will need to consider how they intend to use the latest high-tech trains, built in the UK by Agility, to deliver more passengers to more of the UK's biggest cities faster and in greater comfort.

The government is expecting to see how the future operators will capitalise on the significant government investment along this route, including £240 million in infrastructure projects over the next five years to improve capacity and reduce journey times.  

Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said:

“Giving passengers more will be at the heart of the new East Coast franchise. That means new services and journeys that are faster, more punctual and more comfortable. When these companies are developing their proposals they should be looking at ways to innovate and grow the service.

“We have embarked on one of the biggest programmes of rail investment ever, with over £35 billion being spent to enhance and run our rail network over the next five years. But for our railways to continue to grow we need strong private sector partners who can invest and innovate in ways that deliver a world class service.”

Since rail services were privatised in 1993, the close cooperation between government and the train companies has heralded an unprecedented growth in the number of passengers.

While the East Coast franchise has been stabilised under government ownership since 2009, the route now needs a long term private sector operator to plan for the future and meet the increasing demands for more trains serving even more destinations.

When it started the franchise competition in October 2013 the government published the InterCity East Coast prospectus which set out the areas prospective bidders will need to consider when they start developing their proposals.  These include:

• developing innovative timetables which build on the core train service requirement published by the Department for Transport (DfT); 
• investment in innovative ways to transform the customer experience on trains and at stations;
  identifying further opportunities for investment along the route, particularly at stations; 
• making the route and train operations more considerate of the environment;
  involving communities along the route in local decision making; and 
• demonstrating how their proposals will support economic growth along the route.

To pass the rigorous Pre-Qualification Evaluation each of the bidders were asked to demonstrate that they have the financial strength, legal, operational and safety experience to run the franchise. 

The DfT is planning to issue the Invitation to Tender at the end of February and the potential operators will then have at least three months to develop their bids, before the new services start in February 2015. 

ENDS

Number crunching - Beardie Rail

Compare and contrast...
 
80% - the decline in Virgin Rail profits due to the ICWC shambles

90% - the Stagecoach share in the new joint venture with Virgin bidding for ICEC

Fancy.

Hammond Eggs - Sauce for the goose

This from the Yorkshire Post:

Shadow Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said Ministers are so keen to re-privatise the route linking London, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, York and Edinburgh that they redacted a prospectus for the proposed sell-off to make the line seem less successful than it actually is.

Happily Stephen Hammond was able to mount a spirited defence of privatisation:

He claimed Labour's position on the East Coast franchise was driven by “dogma”.

Errr...

Eye Lonely Hearts - No94

Eye agony aunt, Marjorie Spads, writes.. 

Who could not be touched by the pain contained in this letter from Patrick M, who lives in Westminster and Derbyshire.

Poor loveless, lonely, Patrick has sent out a cri de coeur, on page 4 of which he weeps... 

We need a strong partner...

We need a partner with vision...

Above all, we are seeking a partner that is wholly committed...  

Aw, bless his heart!

Patrick has obviously been let down very badly in previous relationships, perhaps by partners only interested in his money or who run away when the going gets tough? 

Is there no-one out there, in this wicked world, who can make our Patrick truly happy?

East Coast out to market

This from the Department for Transport...

Transforming rail travel on the East Coast

The race to get the best rail services for passengers between London and Scotland officially got underway today, Friday 25 October.

The publication of a series of procurement documents by the Department for Transport (DfT) marks the first step in that search for a new private sector partner to help revolutionise services on the East Coast Mainline.

The InterCity East Coast prospectus details what potential bidders will need to consider when they start developing their proposals next year. These include:

• developing innovative timetables which build on the core train service requirement published by the DfT;
• investment in innovative ways to transform the customer experience on trains and at stations;
• identifying further opportunities for investment along the route, particularly at stations;
• making the route and train operations more sensitive to the environment;
• involving communities along the route in local decision making; and
• demonstrating how their proposals will support economic growth along the route.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
“We want to see a revitalised East Coast railway, one that both rekindles the spirit of competition for customers on this great route to Scotland and competes with the West Coast on speed, quality and customer service.

“We need a strong partner to ensure we successfully deliver the £240m programme of infrastructure investments on the route and the improvements in rolling stock that the multi-billion Intercity Express Programme will provide.“

Since 2009, the East Coast franchise has been stabilised under Government ownership, but management by Directly Operated Railways was never planned to be a permanent arrangement.

The Government believes a strong private sector partner, as an innovator and investor, will build on this stable basis and deliver a world-class railway for passengers and best value for the taxpayer.

It expects the new partner will capitalise on the significant Government investment in this route over the next six years, including the replacement of the current rolling stock fleet, and major infrastructure improvements such as the £72m programme to improve the line around Peterborough and £20m enhancements to Doncaster station.

As part of the refranchising process a series of documents are being published, including an OJEU Notice, the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), the Prequalification Process Document (PPD), the prospectus, and the results of the East Coast consultation which asked passengers what they would like to see in the new franchise.

The prospectus describes the East Coast business as it stands today and the risks and responsibilities bidders will need to consider when preparing their bid. It also gives an insight as to what the DfT expects to see when prospective bidders are given the invitation to tender (ITT), which will ask them to set out their detailed proposals on what they will deliver for passengers.

The DfT plans to confirm which prospective bidders have passed the pre-qualification stage in January. The DfT expects to issue the ITT in February. The shortlisted bidders will then have three months to prepare bids, with franchise services starting in February 2015.

East Coast is one of the two main London-to-Scotland railways providing frequent services. It is an electrified 393 miles (632 km) railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

It is one of the fastest conventional lines in the UK with most of the line being cleared for 125 mph (200 km/h) operation. Non-electrified line extends further north into Scotland from Edinburgh to Inverness and Aberdeen. The services meet demand for business travel, particularly between Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds and London, leisure travel to a variety of destinations and commuter journeys, primarily between Newark, Grantham, Peterborough and London.

The launch of the East Coast competition is another milestone in the Government’s refranchising programme and it follows the on time successful publication of the ITTs for Essex Thameside and Thameslink Southern Great Northern last month.

Details of the published documents can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/rail-franchising

ENDS

Virgin launches new route to Scotland

This from Virginia Water...

With DOR set to run both East Coast and West Coast InterCity franchises the state will have an effective monopoly over the London - Scotland rail market.  

Happily this will put them in an excellent position to compete with short haul air services, including, and in particular, the new flights to be operated between Scotland and Heathrow from next summer by Virgin Atlantic.

Judicial review anyone?

East Coast consultation - is anyone listening?

On Tuesday the DfT launched its consultation on the new East Coast franchise.

According to the press release:

Launching the InterCity East Coast franchise consultation today, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers invited passengers, local councils and anyone with an interest in improved services on the East Coast Main Line to send in their views on what they want from the next franchise.

Theresa Villiers said: “There are exciting changes on the horizon for the East Coast Main Line. It is set to receive a brand new fleet of InterCity Express trains. The next franchise will be up to 12 years in length giving the operator greater opportunities to invest in improvements that will benefit passengers".

Eye suggests those responding to the consultation might want to start their responses with: 'Junk the IEP!'. 

EC champions Railway Gardens?

This from the Lancastrian...

Further to the 'Railway Garden' entry from York last Monday, I visited the station last week and spotted this poster.


Is grass growing through cobbles now an advertised feature of East Coast's offering at York?

UPDATE: This from Steve Strong...

I had always assumed this branding called to mind the number of railway careers that have been buried by the state owned 'flagship' operator.

BarbieRail short formed?

Has anyone seen the Customer Services Director?

That is all.

East Coast goes for Scottish hearts and minds

Good news for the North British legal fraternity!

Despite apparently missing out on #Flawsuit there still appear to be plenty of opportunities to turn a shilling.

Not least as Alex Salmond has confirmed his determination to stamp out Sectarianism (and quite right too).

With this in mind Eye wonders what MacLearned Friends will make of this?


Happily for East Coast this should make withdrawing from points beyond Edinburgh that little bit easier...

Flying Adonis - East Coast gets carried away

This from Ithuriel...

In a press release hailing the new one train a day 'Flying Adonis' Edinburgh-London service, East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell said:

“East Coast’s fantastic new locomotive and service writes an exciting new chapter in the 149-year history of the Flying Scotsman."

Er Karen, it's a 23 year old loco tarted up with some flashy vinyls.

But no doubt your political masters and ill informed stakeholders will fall for the line that it is new.

UPDATE: This from Neversholt...

We have spent a small fortune upgrading and updating the Class 91s.

They are now even better than new. Now can I have my large cheque please?

UPDATE: This from Almost Traction...

And we have made a lot of the bits that our valued client has bought.

UPDATE: And this, unsurprisingly, from Captain Deltic...

Money wasted on a name plate that should read John Dowling

UPDATE: This from Steve Strong...

I hear that yesterday's inaugural run was late into King's Cross by 2m 35s - held up by East Coast's sole service from Hull.

Perhaps better to leave such complicated non-core services to Hull Trains?

East Coast invites readers to name a loco

This from the York Press...

The Press appealed for readers to send suggestions in after rail operator East Coast decided to revive the tradition of naming locomotives on the Edinburgh to London route.

Latest suggestions for names, which must have a particular relevance to York, have included Ebor Rose, HRH Duke of York, The Duchess, Saint Margaret Clitherow and the York Flyer.

Strange. No one appears to have suggested 'Rail Barbie' or even 'Barbie Rail'.

Happily there is still time...

UPDATE: This from Captain Deltic...

Surely if a locomotive is to be named it is time to revise the East Coast policy of honouring its locomotive engineers.

With an IC125 power car now named after T.C.B. Miller, the Chief Engineer (responsible for the 125 mile/h high speed train which saved InterCity) the naming of a Class 91 locomotive after its designer John Dowling is long overdue.

The Class 91, which met an extreme specification from hauling tilting trains at 140mph to 500 tonne sleepers over Shap and Beattock, was John Dowling's final design and his masterwork.

Si monumentum requiris, circumspice

UPDATE: This from Yorkshire Lad...

I wonder if this lookalike might help Captain Deltic's case?

As well as a Rail Barbie it also features a Garrett!


Do I win £5?

BarbieRail adopts lean seating for Eureka!!!!!!!

Exciting news from state owned East Coast!

The 07:30 off the Cross to Newcastle this morning offered a new, improved, range of high density seating for priority customers.


Strangely, despite reservations being in place, these seats remained unoccupied.


No doubt the rest of the EC fleet will receive similar treatment to enable the operator to squeeze in the additional 3 million seats promised by Eureka!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday's ECML woe

Much media excitement yesterday over disruption to the East Coast Main Line

This from the BBC...

Thousands of rail passengers are being urged to reschedule their journeys after a power failure caused havoc on the East Coast mainline...

Passengers heading north from Kings Cross were advised to use alternative services from St Pancras, heading to Yorkshire, or on the West Coast mainline from Euston to Glasgow.

But what's this?

The same story was illustrated with this picture of Kings Cross:

It would appear that not all operators gave up the ghost quite as easily as nationalised East Coast...

East Coast solves PPM problems

Good news from state owned East Coast!

Usually languishing at the bottom of the PPM table the nationalised operator has leapt straight to the top!

And this despite the leaf-fall season.

Here for example are the figures for the period covering Friday 12th November...


Surely other operators can do just as well?

Perhaps by also monitoring just eight trains...

UPDATE: This, surprisingly, from Barbara Dixon...

Personally, I am quite impressed at East Coasts performance on Friday 12th November.

As one of the patrons on a late afternoon service from Peterborough to Leeds on said date where the guard or train manager or whatever they call themselves nowadays was advertising delay repay at all stops.

Are we talking some dodgy wires or a Network Rail signaller spilling his coffee?

No, it was a brake pipe failure on the said train at Biggleswade.

Exciting new catering offer from DOR

This from Puffing Billy...

Good news for those interested in railway catering.

There was much disappointment last month when East Coast cancelled, at short notice, the launch of its new catering offer.

Happily it would appear that the state owned TOC has found a new venue to unveil it's exciting plans for the future - no less a location than the opulent Stafford Hotel in the exclusive St James area of London.

As well as offering trade hacks the chance to meet with Rail Barbie and Karen Boswell over a 'special meal', tonight's invitees have also been promised a tour of the hotel's unrivalled wine cellar and, as an added bonus, a 'special guest' appearance by a senior figure from Network Rail!

In these austere times it is comforting to know that the public sector can still put on a good show.

Perhaps Sir Philip Green should call by to see such efficiency in action?

UPDATE: This from one of Eye's spies at last night's dinner...

It would appear that Ms Holt is one of Eye's growing band of devotees.

She began last night's festivities by introducing herself as 'Rail Barbie'...

Good effort.

Virgin fails to win extension

Telegrammed by Our International Correspondent
What a difference a day makes if you are Virgin Rail.

Last night the self-styled Big Red was lauded, somewhat improbably by the RSPCA, for the excellence of its animal breakfasts, which at least makes a change from the more self-serving of the industry award schemes.

Unfortunately every dog has its day and this morning the Saviour of the Jammy Dodger kicked Beardie Rail out of the franchise extension balloon.

This from the Pink 'Un:

"We won’t be accepting Virgin’s proposal for an extension. We think it’s important to open franchises to competition and we’re likely to get better value for taxpayers and the government,” said Transport Minister Theresa Villiers.

Whilst DafT plans to refranchise the West Coast route just before the Olympics (Doh!) there is still radio silence on when its own toy trainset - the failing Barbie Rail - will be returned to the market.

With the nationalised East Coast operator languishing at the bottom of the performance tables Eye would have thought that resolving this particular ownership issue was slightly more pressing.

Then again - perhaps not.

With Virgin West Coast bleeding time and effort to retain the franchise there will be an inevitable impact on the TOC's performance. Happily for Marsham Street this should make East Coast's dire efforts look almost credible.

Meanwhile, there is at least one piece of genuine good news.

With both AngloScottish routes turned into basket cases the clamour for an early start to HS2 will become deafening.

GNER resurrexit !

This from a Captain Nolan...

I grabbed this screenshot after booking tickets on East Coast's site yesterday:


It was nice to see the both NXEC and East Coast have ensured that the money spent on re-branding the booking system has resulted in a thorough job being done.

ORR looks at East Coast timetable again

The Office of Rail Regulation today confirmed that it would "consider any alternative uses" for the London - Lincoln paths granted to East Coast.

Previously the state owned operator had said that they would operate seven return services a day between Lincoln and London. However, modelling work suggested that this service pattern would lose approximately £9m a year.

In its place East Coast proposed running just one daily return service from London to Lincoln and four shuttle services from London to Newark.

Other operators had protested that East Coast's revised proposals did not make best use of scarce resources on the ECML.

In a letter sent today to stakeholders Brian Kogan of ORR said:

As most of you will be aware, East Coast has recently announced that it no longer plans to operate seven weekday services each way between Lincoln and London. Instead it wishes to operate just one service each way, with a further four services each way operating between Newark and London. It has indicated that it intends to submit a track access application to amend its rights.

We have received representations from other operators pointing out that this is the second significant change to the destinations served since NXEC Trains Limited (National Express East Coast) submitted its original application for track access rights in June 2008, and suggesting that East Coast’s revised proposals do not make best use of the capacity available on the East Coast Main Line (ECML), and therefore that we should evaluate alternative proposals.

In November 2009 we agreed to East Coast’s request for a change of destination from Leeds to York. The reasons were set out in a letter to the industry dated 25 November 2009. But circumstances are now somewhat different:

• a key reason for agreeing to the original change was that, taking account of performance and journey time issues, it would be better if the new services continued beyond Doncaster to York rather than Leeds. No such argument applies in respect of the proposed change; and

• the service to be provided by East Coast to a new destination is significantly reduced.

For this reason we think we must consider any alternative uses for the capacity that other operators may put to us when we decide whether to approve East Coast’s new proposals.

However, we are not proposing a further major change to the timetable. Considerable time and effort has already been expended by Network Rail, train operators, funders and other stakeholders on the development of the standard pattern timetable, for implementation in May 2011, and it is not our intention that Network Rail should have to undertake significant further timetable development work. In particular, the broad pattern of the timetable should be as currently developed, and capacity must remain available within the standard pattern timetable for freight operators to run both Class 4 and Class 6 freight trains on the ECML.

We wish to make it clear that when evaluating any realistic alternative uses of the capacity available, we will not evaluate them solely against East Coast’s revised Lincoln/Newark proposals, but instead will do so against the amended SLC2 as a package, of which the Lincoln/Newark proposals form a part.

The ORR has asked for proposed alternatives to be submitted by no latter than 16 July 2010.

UPDATE: This from a Mr Swift...

I have a radical proposal to dovetail in with the ECML KX- Newark shuttle, it will be easy to implement as passenger flows will not be significant.

1. When the shuttles arrive at Newark, get all the passengers off and place them on a Newark to Retford shuttle.

2. When the Newark to Retford shuttle arrives at Retford, get all the passengers off and place them on a Retford to Doncaster shuttle.

3. When the Retford to Doncaster shuttle arrives at Doncaster get all the passengers off and place them on a service to York.

And what’s more – read this in reverse for a solution to the UP direction services, plus the added bonus of changing trains will be the opportunity to view the flourishing Railway Garden at Retford.

Hey Presto – we have extra York to London paths!

I must get this off to the ORR straightaway.