InterCity East Coast franchise
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InterCity East Coast is the name of an rail franchise in the United Kingdom. Running services primarily over the East Coast Main Line, since 1996 it has been operated by GNER, whose contract was renewed in 2005 to run until 2015. However due to financial difficulties related to GNER's parent company Sea Containers Ltd the Department for Transport announced in November 2006 that it was to withdraw the franchise from GNER and start a new bidding process. GNERs financial difficulties were also exacerbated by the downturn of passenger numbers in the wake of the London bombings and premium payment it had agreed to pay to the DfT during the lifetime of its franchise.
The new franchise is expected to begin in late 2007 or early 2008, with GNER entering into a management contract with the DfT to continue to operate services in the meantime. Interested parties submitted their bids to the DfT on the 15 January 2007[1] with details of the bids made public on 20 February 2007.[2] GNER did not re-bid after being advised not to by the government in the light of financial problems at its parent company Sea Containers.[3] They have agreed to form a partnership with Stagecoach and Virgin if their bid is successful, with GNER having a 10% share.[4]
[edit] Bids
The shortlisted bidders are:[5]
- Arriva Trains East Coast Limited (Arriva)
- First London, Scottish and North East Railways Limited (FirstGroup)
- inter city - railways limited (Stagecoach, Virgin, and GNER)
- NXEC Trains Limited (National Express Group)
[edit] References
- ^ Competition commences for operator of InterCity East Coast franchise. Department for Transport.
- ^ Consultation document for the InterCity East Coast franchise. Department for Transport.
- ^ Four in East coast rail shortlist. BBC News.
- ^ GNER in joint bid for top route. BBC News (2007-04-06).
- ^ Stock Exchange statement - Department for Transport announces pre-qualified bidders for Intercity East Coast Franchise. Department for Transport.
| Domestic: | Arriva Trains Wales - c2c - Central Trains1 - Chiltern Railways - First Capital Connect First Great Western - First ScotRail - Grand Central2 - GNER - Heathrow Connect Hull Trains - Island Line3 - Merseyrail - Midland Mainline1 - Northern Rail Northern Ireland Railways4 - 'one' - Silverlink1 - Southeastern - Southern South West Trains - TransPennine Express - Virgin Trains (VWC - VXC1) |
|---|---|
| International: | Enterprise4 - Eurostar |
| Airport Link: | Gatwick Express - Heathrow Express - Stansted Express5 |
| Sleeper: | Caledonian Sleeper6 - Night Riviera7 |
| 1 Ends November 2007 - 2 Starts 20 May 2007 - 3 Operated by South West Trains 4 Operated on the Irish railway network - 5 Operated by 'one' - 6 Operated by First ScotRail 7 Operated by First Great Western |
|
| Future passenger train operators and franchises in Great Britain | |
|---|---|
| New Franchises: | Cross Country1 - East Midlands1 - InterCity East Coast - London Overground1 West Midlands1 |
| Proposed open-access operators: |
Glasgow Trains2 - Grand Union2 - Humber & City2 - Wrexham & Shropshire3 |
| 1 Starts November 2007 - 2 Proposed - 3 Awaiting Approval | |
 |
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