Item 10. Rail Update Great Western Franchise 7 March 2012
Great Western Franchise ConsultationDec 2011 to March 2012 Invitation to tenderMay 2012 Bids submittedAug 2012 Award announcedEnd 2012 Franchise startsApril 2013
Franchise objectives Effectively manage franchise changes Provide appropriate capacity Improve passenger experience Punctuality and reliability Cost effective and efficient Possible devolution
West of England priorities Rail Conference Top Three Greater Bristol Metro Re-open Portishead line Additional rolling stock Other Electrification – extensions and EMUs Services, ticketing, stations, future aspirations
Key franchise issues 15 year franchise Current level of service = baseline Modest objectives Increment/decrement = ‘priced option’ approach Operator determine rolling stock and timetable Devolution to follow? 34 Questions
Franchise Questions Factors influencing local passenger demand (Q2) Investment priorities (Q5) Devolved train services (Q8) Franchise specification – mandated/discretion (Q10) Train service changes (Q21) Performance areas of concern (Q24) Station enhancements and accessibility (Q25 and Q33) Security (Q28), Ticketing (Q29) and Catering (Q31)
Neighbouring authorities Additional Cardiff to Portsmouth stopping service and Wiltshire towns Train lengthening (Cardiff/Portsmouth/Taunton/Gloucester/Westbury) Four tracking of Filton Bank Bristol to Oxford service Ebbw Vale to Bristol Parkway New diesel fleet for the South West
Potential Bidders First Great Western Arriva (Deutsche Bahn) Network Express South West Trains (Stagecoach) Go-ahead (with SNCF) – withdrew Renfe (Spanish state company)
Implementing priorities DfT criteria Deliverability, robustness and operational impact Value for money Phased approach – 15 year franchise Evidence and business case – technical work = Art of the possible!
Greater Bristol Metro Evidence and business case Technical work David Crockett and Graeme Pollard Halcrow
Franchise response Covering letter and report Priorities for new franchise Greater Bristol Metro Phase 1 and 2 Detailed response to 34 questions Technical evidence