Strategic Rail Authority

SRA Announce Preferred Bidder For TransPennine Express
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date 28 July 2003
source Strategic Rail Authority
type Press release

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today announced that FGK, a consortium
of FirstGroup plc and Keolis SA has been selected as the preferred bidder
and heads of terms have been signed for the new TransPennine Express
franchise. The franchise will operate services on principal inter-city routes
across the North of England.

Improvements delivered by the new franchise, which incorporates a total
private sector investment of around £260m, will include:

The introduction of a new fleet of 100 mile/h diesel multiple units
leading to improved capacity, service quality, performance and the
reliability of rail services on these routes, together with the construction
of associated new maintenance facilities

Introduction of a new timetable in December 2004 which delivers a
regular hourly service pattern, together with some increases in
frequency and reductions in journey times, together with some
increases in capacity during peak hours. The new timetable also
supports the growth objectives of Manchester International Airport
Improvements to the Passenger's Charter commitment that
compensates passengers for the late running of individual trains
Comprehensive staff training and development schemes, with
particular focus on improving customers' experience

The new franchise is planned to commence in early 2004. It will run for eight
years with the option to extend for up to a further five years.

SRA Chairman, Richard Bowker said:
'When we talk about Britain's railway, properly delivered, this is what we
mean. This franchise will deliver better trains with better performance,
improved services and more capacity - the things that matter to passengers.'

Notes to Editors
1. The services comprising the TransPennine franchise currently form
part of the networks operated by Arriva Trains Northern and First North
Western.
2. The franchise has been developed by the SRA in consultation with five
local Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) whose region it will
serve: Greater Manchester, Merseyside (Merseytravel), Tyne & Wear
(Nexus), South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
3. FGK is a consortium of First Group plc and Keolis SA. First Group plc
currently operates the First Great Eastern, First Great Western and
First North Western franchises. Keolis SA in consortium with Go-Ahead
Group plc as part of GOVIA, is the incumbent franchisee of South
Central Trains and Thameslink Rail.

Railhub Archive ::: 2003-07-28 SRA-001