Statement Re: Award of The Greater Western & Thameslink/Great Northern Franchises
13/12/2005
FIRSTGROUP PLC
(æFirstÆ or æThe GroupÆ)
FirstGroup plc, the UKÆs largest surface transport company, today welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) to award both the Greater Western and Thameslink/Great Northern franchises to the Group. These new franchises, worth over ú1 billion in revenue per annum, will commence operation on 1 April 2006.
Commenting on the two franchise awards, Moir Lockhead, Group Chief Executive said: ôWe are delighted to be awarded both of these franchises and look forward to delivering the improved performance, capacity, facilities and customer benefits proposed in our winning bids. We are now the UKÆs largest rail operator and will carry more than 260 million passengers per annumö.
Details of the two new franchise awards are as follows:
Greater Western Franchise
The new Greater Western franchise, which combines First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains, will commence on 1 April 2006 and run for seven years with a potential extension for three further years.
The new franchise will generate ú1 billion in premium payments to DfT over the full 10 year period.
Commenting, Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive, FirstGroup plc said:
ôWe are delighted to be awarded the contract to run the enlarged Greater Western franchise. We consulted widely with stakeholders across the franchise area and submitted a robust and innovative bid. We are proud to serve customers across the new enlarged franchise area and look forward to building on our strong record of service delivery and investment.
IÆd like to take this opportunity to thank the many stakeholders who supported our bid and, not least, our staff who have worked hard to achieve this result and continually strive to provide exceptional customer service for passengers throughout the Greater Western region.
We have the experience, drive and proven track record to transform travel for the Greater Western region, setting a new standard for customer service. Our priority now is to ensure a smooth integration of the three companies in April next year; a new Timetable in December 2006; and the early delivery of enhancements in services for passengers.
The key highlights of the new franchise include:
À A programme of continuous improvement and investment bringing a wide range of customer benefits, increased capacity, safety and service. In addition we will focus on tackling deep-rooted performance issues on the Greater Western network.
À The creation of a new family of brands for the franchise: First Great Western Express - high speed intercity services, First Great Western Link û suburban services out of London Paddington and First Great Western Local û regional services (mainly former Wessex Trains services)
À Investment of c.ú200m in the franchise including:
Significant investment in the train fleet, the vast majority of which will take place in the first two years. The interiors of First Great WesternÆs High Speed Trains (HST) fleet will be totally redesigned providing a step change in passenger comfort and facilities together with increased capacity. The first set of redesigned carriages will be delivered in the first six months of the new franchise. Simultaneously the power cars will be overhauled and fitted with new quieter and more environmentally friendly engines which will provide greater efficiency and reliability
We will work with the DfT to introduce HST2, a replacement fleet of high speed trains, in accordance with the DfT led plans to provide a new generation of trains for the franchise.
Local and Link fleets will go through a programme of improvements and interior uplifts throughout the franchise term û including installation of CCTV cameras to enhance passenger security.
An investment in station enhancements, occurring in the early years of the franchise, including new ticket machine technology and upgrades to passenger facilities such as waiting rooms, toilet facilities and ticket offices at stations.
An additional 1700 car parking spaces. In addition we will provide cycle parking facilities at every station.
Enhancements to station and car park security with new and upgraded CCTV and CIS and Help Points installed at stations across the network. We will also increase the number of stations we operate in the Secure Stations Scheme.
Introduction of new automatic gates at Plymouth, Exeter St Davids, Bath Spa, Swindon and platforms 9-14 at London Paddington.
New ticket issuing technology and IT support to radically improve the service to our customers
Restaurant services retained and an increase in at-seat catering offered to passengers.
The installation of air conditioning to the driver cabs of our Turbo class 16X fleet.
Retention of overnight sleeper services between London Paddington and Plymouth/Penzance.
All day half hourly services between Paddington, Bristol and Cardiff maintained.
A more than 20% morning peak increase in seats between Reading and London and more than 30% in the evening peak through investments in the fleet, more rolling stock and improved timetabling.
Retention of fast off-peak services for Slough.
Additional enhancements to the timetable including:
- additional morning and evening peak services at Twyford, Maidenhead and Slough
- additional peak stopping trains between Paddington and Slough running every 30 minutes
- New cross Bristol services with through trains between Worcester and Taunton, Cardiff to Westbury/Southampton/Weymouth and Weston-super-Mare and Filton
- regular hourly service between Westbury and London Paddington
- regular hourly services at Taunton and Newton Abbot with some faster journey times
- Reading/Gatwick service increased from hourly to half-hourly off peak
- faster journey times between Cheltenham and London
- better main line connections with trains on the Cornwall branches
À As part of our commitment to work with Network Rail to deliver 90% PPM by 2011/12 we will work together closely in a new fully integrated control centre.
À Network Rail has an agreed programme of investment in the infrastructure across the network through a programme of renewals and upgrades. We will support them in managing this and is also committing to invest a further ú12m in Depots and Wash Plants and the upgrade of the line between Reading and London in order to improve the line speed creating greater capacity, reliability and improved journey times.
À A new management structure with the appointment of 4 regional directors to provide a stronger local focus.
À A significant investment into a range of staff training and development activities focusing on the principles of customer service excellence.
À Improved connections; greater emphasis on integrated travel; and improved marketing to grow the business û particularly encouraging a switch from the car.
Thameslink/Great Northern Franchise
The new franchise, to be renamed First Capital Connect, will bring together two key franchises operating across London and the South East.
The franchise will run for up to nine years, depending upon performance targets and implementation of the anticipated Thameslink Programme. (It has a performance-related break clause after 4 years, and is extendable, at the DfTÆs discretion, to a total of between 6 and 9 years).
First will invest more than ú52 million, the majority in the first three years, to boost passenger service quality. Root and branch reforms will be driven by a new customer service director who will focus on raising both station and on board train performance and standards.
Changes will include cleaner, smarter trains and stations, better ticketing facilities, customer friendly staff and better security combined with more reliable and punctual services.
First will pay ú808 million in premium payments to the Government over the nine year term.
Commenting, Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive, FirstGroup plc said:
ôWe are delighted to be awarded the contract to run the Thameslink/GN franchise. We are passionate about delivering quality services to customers and are excited about the opportunity to improve the current service.
We consulted widely with stakeholders in the region and submitted a robust and customer-focussed bid. Our priority now is to ensure a smooth start up in April next year and the early delivery of enhancements in services for customers.ö
Key features of the new franchise are:
À A focus on reducing delays resulting in continually improving performance
À A more secure travelling environment through a wide range of security enhancements including additional CCTV cameras, help points and investment in a team of 24 dedicated Police Community Support Officers and five additional British Transport Police Officers
À An investment programme of ú52m mainly targeted at:
Station improvements, including upgraded waiting facilities and toilets and enhanced passenger information systems
Improving car parks across the franchise with upgraded facilities, additional CCTV, information points and security with a commitment to improve Park Mark Safer Parking accreditation and creating 600 additional spaces
Rolling stock enhancements to improve reliability and the customer environment including upgrading the interiors of the Thameslink fleet
Automatic ticket gates at 11 stations to improve security, reduce ticketless travel and cut vandalism
Self service ticket machines to ensure customers have easy access to purchasing tickets across the network
Staff training and development with a commitment to achieve Investors in People accreditation by 2008
À The development of 24-hour airport services to Gatwick and Luton
À A commitment to work with Network Rail and other rail partners to deliver the new station and the only cross London dedicated heavy rail link to the high speed Channel Tunnel services due to start from St Pancras in 2007
À The introduction of PLUSBUS schemes and provide extra cycle parking
À We will develop and test new products including an æEarlybirdÆ discount for commuters travelling before the busiest trains.
First is committed to increasing capacity on this congested part of the commuter rail network through:
À The introduction of the new Thameslink timetable boosts peak time capacity for commuters by up to 10,000 seats a day.
À The extra capacity will be split between morning and evening peaks and will be mainly for Thameslink services north of London where trains are most crowded.
À An increase in GN services through selected enhancement works (the feasibility of which will be established within the first year of the franchise). Options include extra, longer trains and infrastructure enhancements; and
Co-operation with DfT, Network Rail and other industry partners to deliver the Thameslink Programme.
First Get Franchise
Congrats to First...and thank **** Wessex didn't get it 
. Maybe I'm being stupidly optimistic, but now First run both express AND local trains, it's in their interest to provide a reliable connecting service. It's almost back to the Big Four!
I hope the "increased capacity" on HSTs doesn't mean new tiny seats, and the "refurbishment" of Weston footbridge just means new paint!
Last few months of Paxman-Valentas screaming? Get 'em while you can...soon HSTs will sound like Pacers
I hope the 125 Group buy some of the old engines...a preserved HST just wouldn't have the appeal with MTUs.
. Maybe I'm being stupidly optimistic, but now First run both express AND local trains, it's in their interest to provide a reliable connecting service. It's almost back to the Big Four!I hope the "increased capacity" on HSTs doesn't mean new tiny seats, and the "refurbishment" of Weston footbridge just means new paint!
Last few months of Paxman-Valentas screaming? Get 'em while you can...soon HSTs will sound like Pacers
I hope the 125 Group buy some of the old engines...a preserved HST just wouldn't have the appeal with MTUs.
That's good news 
Well, the Penzance-Paddington Sleeper service is safe and half hourly services from Cardiff-Paddington are to be kept, so thankfully that's 2 concerns ticked off the list! I hope First will consider those at Melksham for the cuts proposed there.
And I like the sound of the "new Cross Bristol" services!
Well, the Penzance-Paddington Sleeper service is safe and half hourly services from Cardiff-Paddington are to be kept, so thankfully that's 2 concerns ticked off the list! I hope First will consider those at Melksham for the cuts proposed there.
And I like the sound of the "new Cross Bristol" services!
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TheLastMinute
- regular
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:36 am
- Location: Nailsea
More local highlights from FGW website...
Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare
Timetable highlights include:
À Hourly Cardiff-Portsmouth services will all call at Filton Abbey Wood
À Regular interval two-hourly service between Bristol and Weymouth
À Severn Beach branch line services amended to provide a more robust timetable
À Additional early morning train from Exeter to Bristol with an extra late evening return train
À Redesign of timetable for Bristol, Weston super Mare and Taunton route to provide regular pattern of services
À Hourly all day services calling at Bedminster, Parson Street and Weston Milton
À Hourly service for Weston super Mare/Bristol extended to/from Filton Abbey Wood all day
We have plans to improve stations across the region with more car parking spaces and ticket machines, more help desks and information points, more cycle parking and customer information screens, better signage and increased CCTV.
In addition our plans include:
À Refurbishment of toilets, stairs and footbridge at Weston super Mare with new help points
À Redesign of ticket office and travel centre at Bath Spa with new retail unit, new ticket gates and refurbishment of subway
À Redesign of ticket office and travel centre at Bristol Temple Meads with a new customer lounge, improved waiting facilities, toilets and information point, additional ticket machines, and increased retail units
MikeGloucestershire and Worcestershire
Timetable highlights include:
À Regular two-hourly off peak pattern of services between London and Cheltenham with most journey times reduced by up to 11 minutes. Swindon/Cheltenham connecting services provided on the alternate hours
À Additional trains between Gloucester and Worcester calling at Cheltenham and Ashchurch
À Hourly all day service at Cam and Dursley station instead of the current two hourly
We have plans to improve stations across the region with more car parking spaces and ticket machines, more help desks and information points, more cycle parking and customer information screens, better signage and increased CCTV.
In addition our plans include:
À New forecourt with segregated taxi, bus and car areas at Cheltenham Spa with refurbishment of ticket office, booking hall and toilets
À Refurbishment of waiting rooms and toilets at Gloucester with redecoration of booking hall and ticket office.
Stupid bloody Points West. They just interviewed a woman at Temple Meads who complained that it was "unfair" to pay ú60 to travel to York and not have a seat due to lack of capacity. That's Virgin not First!
Also they mentioned how old the HSTs are...it doesn't occur to them that they've lasted that long because they are so well designed, unlike the unreliable Voyagers which have been a nightmare from day one.
Also they mentioned how old the HSTs are...it doesn't occur to them that they've lasted that long because they are so well designed, unlike the unreliable Voyagers which have been a nightmare from day one.
Yes, HSTs are the great success story. Like the Brush Type 4, they will be repected fdor their sterling service over many years, but eventually the time will come for replacement. What is desperately needed is a new HST2. The Adelantes and Turbos are still only dmus with underfloor engines and will never match the HST for quietness.
Great to see that the sleeper to/from Penzance willl continue. And branch line connections should benefit from it being the same company. But will the silly fines continue as regards trains being late, if the only reason is that they are awaiting a connection?
I don't think Wessex Trains were bad, but there is merit in having an overall ownership of the Westcountry network. Not as good as renationalisation, though.
Great to see that the sleeper to/from Penzance willl continue. And branch line connections should benefit from it being the same company. But will the silly fines continue as regards trains being late, if the only reason is that they are awaiting a connection?
I don't think Wessex Trains were bad, but there is merit in having an overall ownership of the Westcountry network. Not as good as renationalisation, though.
nanstallon
It'll be interesting to see if this is extended to the Sunday timetable. At the moment it's almost impossible for me to use the rail network on a Sunday unless I want to drive somewhere else in order to get on a train first. (which I don't)TheLastMinute wrote: À Hourly Cardiff-Portsmouth services will all call at Filton Abbey Wood
À Hourly service for Weston super Mare/Bristol extended to/from Filton Abbey Wood all day
Other snippets which came out on various gen groups yesterday include a new DMU depot to be built in Bristol and the possibility of the Portishead branch being reopened. (First have apparently given a provisional thumbs up to this)
Very interesting news. I'm sure it will be a big improvement on the current Wessex Trains services. Hourly trains calling at Filton Abbey Wood, Bedminster, Parson Street, and Weston Milton will be excellent news for many. Also the retimetabling of Severn Beach line services should hopefully be a lot more commuter friendly than it is currently - i.e. the only 2 trains from Temple Meads-Severn Beach after 5pm are 17:54(a bit late if you finish at 5, and usuless if you finish at 6!) and 19:05(far too late if you finish at 6!).
A shame we have to wait till December 2006 for these new timetables to start though. I'll be long gone from this region by that time, though I will still be travelling down to Bristol often for visiting purposes. But I am looking forward to seeing what FGW can do with re-arranging the train services in this area. It's been a case of "same old, same old" for years now and is long due a complete overhaul. I look forward to studying the new timetables come December next year.
So does this mean FGW will be running such stock as HST's, Adelente's, and 165's/166's on services such as Cardiff-Portsmouth, Weston SM-Filton, etc? Or will they be taking over the Wessex stock 158's, 150's, 143's, 153's and painting them into FGW livery? I guess it will probably be that latter. Either way though, it shall be very interesting!
A shame we have to wait till December 2006 for these new timetables to start though. I'll be long gone from this region by that time, though I will still be travelling down to Bristol often for visiting purposes. But I am looking forward to seeing what FGW can do with re-arranging the train services in this area. It's been a case of "same old, same old" for years now and is long due a complete overhaul. I look forward to studying the new timetables come December next year.
So does this mean FGW will be running such stock as HST's, Adelente's, and 165's/166's on services such as Cardiff-Portsmouth, Weston SM-Filton, etc? Or will they be taking over the Wessex stock 158's, 150's, 143's, 153's and painting them into FGW livery? I guess it will probably be that latter. Either way though, it shall be very interesting!
Good news in that all the trains will be operated by one company.
Bad news when you look at the money they are going to pay the government - because that can only come from increased revenue which means above inflation fare increases or they are banking on being able to pull services on some lines in line with the government's closure programme - sorry I meant community rail projects.
Bad news when you look at the money they are going to pay the government - because that can only come from increased revenue which means above inflation fare increases or they are banking on being able to pull services on some lines in line with the government's closure programme - sorry I meant community rail projects.
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stationcat
- regular
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:57 pm
- Location: North Somerset
Worstgroup
I can only assume that the other contenders for the Greater Western franchise pulled out at the last minute, it's the only way Worst could have got it. A little bird tells me that a large number of HST sets are to have the buffet cars taken out in favour of a trolley service, this is allegedly to improve performance. There will also be no additional stock for Worst Local, the wretched Pacers are here to stay. 
Stationcat
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Bartonhillbum
- regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:36 pm
DMU depot in Bristol
Good Morning
Well James
Easy, I was at a meeting with the developers and First the other week and they were talking about the 'Old Bath Road Depot' andthe general conversation was along the lines (no pun intended) 'how contaminated the grouind is with all kinds of nasties - and how much it would cost to de-contaminate'.
I pointed out that there is no need to de-contaminate the ground if it still in use for the purpose for which is was used for, i.e. a railway depot. After a stunded silence I explained in very simple terms, after all there were al kinds of people present (City Councillors, R.I.B.As and the like) that if the proposed 'Arena' were on stilts with a railway sidings underneath - as well as at least 2 platforms customers to the 'Arena' could arrive by train as could the groups/bands etc.. therby increasing the capacity with increasing road/parking use as well as those invironmental bonuses - as the developers have bought the site, these could be revinue from the train company for the use of the depot for storage of trains etc..
So all is not lost YET (excuse the spelling erriors, the High Master Ugy all was said I would be no good in life as I "failed to grasp greek/latin and spelling boy"
Bye for now
Well James
It could still be Bath Road; How?????I wonder where it will be? Shame it's not Bath Road.
Easy, I was at a meeting with the developers and First the other week and they were talking about the 'Old Bath Road Depot' andthe general conversation was along the lines (no pun intended) 'how contaminated the grouind is with all kinds of nasties - and how much it would cost to de-contaminate'.
I pointed out that there is no need to de-contaminate the ground if it still in use for the purpose for which is was used for, i.e. a railway depot. After a stunded silence I explained in very simple terms, after all there were al kinds of people present (City Councillors, R.I.B.As and the like) that if the proposed 'Arena' were on stilts with a railway sidings underneath - as well as at least 2 platforms customers to the 'Arena' could arrive by train as could the groups/bands etc.. therby increasing the capacity with increasing road/parking use as well as those invironmental bonuses - as the developers have bought the site, these could be revinue from the train company for the use of the depot for storage of trains etc..
So all is not lost YET (excuse the spelling erriors, the High Master Ugy all was said I would be no good in life as I "failed to grasp greek/latin and spelling boy"
Bye for now
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Bartonhillbum
- regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:36 pm
Hi James
We shall see what we will see, as I wrote a few months ago regarding First and the bid, I was sure that they were in with a chance for several reasons, one being that the upper management (rail NOT Bus) can listen with an open mind and they are very receptive. I have found anyway. Forinstence putting in loop between Dac Days and the southern end of Stapleton Road so that coal/plaster board trains can rest between passengers therebuy giving a slight increase to the line capacity - also perhaps the stopping trains at Lawrence Hill could use the loop thereby allowing 'fast' trains (BTM bound) to 'overtake' thereby giving increased frequancy of the S.B.L.
(mind you not so some of the crackpot ideas put forward by somewhat studious people who seem to think that a return to the 'Broad Gauge, between Bath & Bristol would solve a lot of problems).
hope this makes sense as I'm on the Bells
Phikl
We shall see what we will see, as I wrote a few months ago regarding First and the bid, I was sure that they were in with a chance for several reasons, one being that the upper management (rail NOT Bus) can listen with an open mind and they are very receptive. I have found anyway. Forinstence putting in loop between Dac Days and the southern end of Stapleton Road so that coal/plaster board trains can rest between passengers therebuy giving a slight increase to the line capacity - also perhaps the stopping trains at Lawrence Hill could use the loop thereby allowing 'fast' trains (BTM bound) to 'overtake' thereby giving increased frequancy of the S.B.L.
(mind you not so some of the crackpot ideas put forward by somewhat studious people who seem to think that a return to the 'Broad Gauge, between Bath & Bristol would solve a lot of problems).
hope this makes sense as I'm on the Bells
Phikl