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This from a Mr Lergy Fee...
My delight at reading the Rail 2020 report was tempered by their
inability to get the publication year right.
The only interesting thing in a very dull document was the complete omission of transport as a heading.
In happier news it allowed CamClegg to re-re-re-announce one or two rail projects.
Page 11 of the Together in the National Interest document offered the following tidbits:
We will further invest in infrastructure by:
This from PR Week...
David Cameron's deputy official spokeswoman Vickie Sheriff is to become director of group comms at the Department for Transport.
Sheriff, who is also head of news at Number 10, will take on the role within the next few weeks.
Interesting!
In the latest issue of Passenger Transport, published on the 4th January, the Fact Compiler consults his crystal ball...
This from a Mr Anthony Kilometer...
As the new year starts no doubt ASLEF members will be consulting their union's website to see when their employer's franchises are up for renewal...
So. The Transport Select Committee has opined on the future of the railway.
Please read our Legislators' thoughts - Here.
Meanwhile we look forward to the 8th January when NR publishes its business plan (HLOS in old money).
And on 10th January we can apparently anticipate a Ministerial Statement on the Brown Review.
In all this excitement there is only one message that the industry needs to put across:
"Move the wheel closer to the rail and structure for the customer!", whether passenger or freight (thank you Sir Robert).
That is all.
This from the Long Reach of the Law...
Is it too late for an entry to the festive railway garden competition?
This from The Man in Seat 61...
So the next time someone says
(or you read) "Britain has the highest rail fares in Europe", you'll know
this is only 15% of the story. The other 85% is that we have similar
or even cheaper fares, too.
Read his analysis here.
This from The Cynic...
In the spirit of the Age of Austerity, Eye is delighted to identify the first significant cost saving of 2013.
Ithuriel reports that on the 27th December DfT slipped out an OJEU Notice for The Provision of Financial Advice to the Intercity Express Programme.
As the slam of a stable door closing echoes round the thinly populated office of Great Minster House perhaps we can save DfT hundreds of thousands in bankers consultancy fees in just four words.
'Don't buy any more.'
This is Catho Style...
Christus natus hodie!
The Man by the Photocopier writes...
A curious release has just appeared from DafT’s Office of Seasonal Tales.
This purports to be government ‘backing’ for new train orders for Southern, amounting to 216 vehicles. Except that they have already been announced in principle and are not really for Southern, as the lower part of the release admits.
So why is Southern (a departing franchise) involved in ordering trains for the Midland Main Line?
Presumably they could well have their first outings on Thameslink (thus releasing some 319s., etc.) and from 2015 Southern + Thameslink are set to be joined together (depending on Mr Brown, of course).
Ah, Christmas. Always a good time to bury bad – or at least contentious – news...
UPDATE: A little more from The Man by the Photocopier...
Sometimes in spite of best efforts in the Horseferry Road there comes a rare gleam of clarity, even in these well-spun times.
A new Q + A just published by ever-helpful Southern about potential rolling stock orders includes this modest gem ...
Q The original announcement said that the option was for 100 carriages. Why has this changed to 140?
A This is what the Department for Transport has asked us to do.
Quite so.
UPDATE: This from Derbyshire Lad...
Might I be allowed to use your electronic organ to praise the DfT for its vision and insight in ordering more trains from a British factory rather than overseas.
Clearly the arrival of Patrick McLoughlin MP (Derbyshire Dales) at the Department for Transport has resulted in an outbreak of train procurement wisdom.
Patrick is a colossus amongst pygmys, a seer amongst the dullards... (cont in this vein for circa 94 pages. Ed)
UPDATE: This from The Archer...
Not wanting to spoil Christmas cheer in Derby but, the DfT’s release claims to be a year-end boost for train builders with two new train orders.
Note the plural ‘train builders’ rather than the singular ‘train builder’.
Bombardier is one of these train builders as they’ve got an order for another 40 carriages for Southern.
By definition then the second, and larger order, for 116 or 256 carriages, must be going to another train builder.
Merry Christmas Derby!
Eye's latest column in Passenger Transport, published on 14th December refers...
Good to see that DfT is clamping down on poorly performing franchises.
Concealed amongst the self congratulatory press release from Stormin' Norman (who else!) boasting that the Government had secured £7m worth of ticketing geegaws for hard pressed London Midland commuters was the following:
"The deal that has been struck will also confirm the end date of the franchise as September 2015, ensuring that London Midland is given sufficient time to resolve these problems on a permanent basis."
Way, way back in the heady days of June 2007 when the franchise was first awarded the DfT statement to the Stock Market contained the following fearsome words...
"The new franchise will begin on 11th November 2007 and will run until 19th September 2015. The DfT has the right to terminate the franchise after six years if the operator is failing to meet agreed performance targets."
In fact sources suggest that the franchise contained a break point at six years, with an option for the DfT to extend it for a further 22 months.
Whilst the two other franchises let at the same time (EMT and CrossCountry) had both received notification from DfT some time ago that their franchises would be extended beyond the initial six years, on London Midland not a word!
That is until today.
So note to failing franchises - carry on the good work, the Department loves you.
UPDATE: This from Billy No Mates...
Could I point out that the £7m bung to LM commuters equates to just under two Laidlaw Inquiries.
Value for money indeed.
A little festive cheer for colleagues currently twiddling their thumbs in bid teams.
This from Transport Scotland (396563-2012)...
Transport Scotland is seeking to appoint an appropriately experienced and qualified operator for the Caledonian Sleeper Rail Franchise running the overnight rail services for up to 15 years. The estimated contract cost is indicative only - please see Additional Information section for further details on the make up of the estimated contract costs. Estimated cost excluding VAT: 375 000 000 GBP
Play nicely!
This from Eversholt...
Eversholt Rail appoints Non-Executive Director
Eversholt Rail is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Haines as a non-executive director. He will join the Board on 1st January 2013.
Andrew is Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, a role he has held since August 2009. He previously spent 23 years working within the railway Industry in a number of roles including Managing Director of South West Trains and Head of FirstGroup’s Rail Division.
Graham Love, non-executive chairman of Eversholt Rail, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Andrew onto the Board and working with him. His wealth of experience will provide us with an invaluable insight in helping to meet the needs of our customers”.
So that looks like Hainesy ruled out for DG Rail!
Apologies, long...
This made when even Norm' was in his nappies.
Right time, means right time!
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