Shouldn't something be happening soon?
'Nuff said.
UPDATE: This from Leo Pink...
I see that the LibDems have now also joined the clamour for NatEx to be stripped off their other franchises.
National Express East Anglia is currently responsible for procuring 30 four car Electrostar EMUs and is already on the maximum support under cap and collar.
Do we really want this dumped on the taxpayer?
This update on the Battle of the Barriers from the BBC...
A rail company is appealing against a decision not to allow ticket barriers at York railway station.
The appeal is apparently to be heard in the New Year, by which time NXEC should have shuffled off its mortal coil.
So there is precious little benefit to be gained by the franchise, NatEx or indeed its hard pressed shareholders in mounting this appeal.
So who is yanking NXEC's chain?
Step forward Lord Adonis, DafT and DOR.
Eye salutes this unholy triumverate for learning from Ireland's experience with the Euro constitution.
Just keep asking the same question until they come up with the right answer.
This issued today...
"Discussions continue on the hand back of the East Coast rail franchise.
"At 30 September, £34 million of the available £40 million Group loan to this franchise had been utilised.
"Ongoing losses have been charged against the contract exit provision established at the half year.
"We are working towards agreeing a formal handback date for the franchise, prior to year end."
Sky appears to have misplaced its Baker's Rail Atlas.
Or so it would appear judging by this headline...
More Rail Misery For East Coast Commuters
Alas, the story actually refers to industrial action on National Express East Anglia.
Of course attempting to travel up the East Coast Mainline via Norwich would be misery indeed - strike or no strike.
UPDATE: This just in from Leo Pink...
Given Mr Baker's propensity in his day job for coming up with at least a dozen radical new ideas a week, it may be that Sky has got hold of an advanced copy of the next edition of the Atlas!
***For newbies to the railway The FT has a very helpful primer on what today's announcement does and doesn't mean***
This from nebusiness.co.uk
Former Rail Minister Tom Harris said: “It is entirely plausible they could hand it back, but I don’t think they should be subsidised by the public purse.”
He added: “If they are going to want to be a private company, they have got to accept that if they make the wrong judgment they have got to pay the price of that.”
No sympathy there then.
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