National Express failed to make the shortlist for the new Greater Anglia rail franchise
East Anglia: National Express axed from rail franchise
Thursday, March 24, 2011
12:48 PM
THE current operator of most rail services in East Anglia has failed to make a shortlist of bidders competing for the the next franchise due to start in February 2012.
National Express has held the Greater Anglia contract since 2004 but was involved in a major spat with the previous government after walking away from its East Coast franchise which suffered heavy losses following the onset of the recession.
The three bidders shortlisted for the new Greater Anglia franchise include the Go-Ahead Group and Stagecoach, plus Nederlandse Spoorwagen which would be a newcomer to UK rail passenger operations.
The Greater Anglia franchise will start on February 5, 2012 and will run for 17 months, with an option to extend by up to one year.
The Department for Transport said the relatively short franchise would allow a longer-term deal to be awarded taking into account the conclusion of the current McNulty review into rail value for money.
A National Express Express Group spokesperson said, “We are very disappointed not to have been short-listed to bid for the Greater Anglia franchise.
“We believe we put forward a very positive and high quality submission building on the significant improvements delivered on National Express East Anglia. “We are therefore seeking further clarification from the Department for Transport to explain this decision.
“In the meantime we remain focused on delivering services for our customers, including the introduction of new trains on West Anglia and the on-going industry-leading performance of c2c.”
However, Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport union, welcomed the absence of National Express from the shortlist, although he added: “The merry-go-round of rail franchising takes another spin and whoever the winners are from these latest beauty contests it certainly won’t be the travelling public.”
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6 comments
Whilst I am no fan of NX ( I use the service every day) the vast majority of the delays are caused by Network Rail and their equipment, with a small number of delays caused by old rolling stock - unless these issues are addressed how will any new operator do any better?
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S Herd
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Stagecoach have been keeping an eye on this franchise since National Express lost the East Coast franchise. It would be interesting to see what would happen if they did succeed in getting the East Anglia franchise.
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Andrew Berry
Thursday, March 24, 2011
I bet National Express aren't chuffed chuffed
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Citizen
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The service to Liverpool Street has been a disgrace for years. Hopefully Spoorwagen will take over the franchise and run it in a way that is similar to the train services that run in Holland: a clean, reliable service at a reasonable price.
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martha farquhar
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Don't Go-Ahead make biscuits, as for Stagecoach,they hardly have a good reputation elsewhere. Dutch trains are clean, comfortable and run on time! Nuff said!!!!
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Dogberry
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Great news maybe a new operator will actualy provide a useable service. However the 17 month term is bad as this means no incentive to improve just milk the cash cow.
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A Smith
Thursday, March 24, 2011