Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,466
Couple of bits of random train news;
Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
[U]Due to the engineering work there will be no trains to or from Dover Priory.[/U]
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/182232.aspx
For all you Stagecoach lovers
1 of the bidders for the new franchise.
[U]"Stagecoach is one of three bidders shortlisted to bid for the new South Eastern franchise. We are pleased to confirm today our intention to form a relationship with Alstom Transport UK Limited (part of the Alstom SA Group) for that rail franchise, subject to DfT consent. It is intended that Alstom will hold 20% of the share capital of the train operating company if our bid for the franchise is successful."[/U]
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,693
This would be the same Stagecoach that so cocked the numbers up on East Coast Main Line that they are set to hand it back early and are likely to lose £200m which will wipe a huge chunk off their net worth
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42945709Guest 1713 likes this
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
The East Coast problems derive from others such as Network Rail not delivering what was promised when the original bid was made, so the projected passenger growth has not materialised. Stagecoach did a pretty good job with South West Trains, a franchise now being mishandled by First Group and also run East Midland Trains very efficiently.
Captain Haddock likes this
Lew Finnis
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
I use East Midlands Trains quite often and it is well run. All the main towns and cities have one non stop train to St Pancras every hour during the day.
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
Not quite - the fast Nottinghams stop 3 times en route! I used one yesterday......
Lew Finnis
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,693
Ah yes lets point the finger at good old Notwork Rail every TOCs favourite scapegoat
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
If they make a hash of things, why not?
Lew Finnis
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
This article from over a year ago speaks of train operating companies taking over the tracks but nothing seems to have come from it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/02/exclusive-network-rail-stripped-control-britains-train-tracks/Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
This is planned (as a 'partnership') for the East Coast when a new contract comes in - and is also planned for the South Eastern Franchise, which should start later this year. The Telegraph, as usual, is over-egging the pudding a bit.
Lew Finnis
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,848
I'm on the HS1. A disembodied voice has just thanked me for 'chosing to travel on South Eastern trains'.
I had no choice. No-one else is operating a service from London to Deal. Idiots.
Jan Higgins likes this
"Shall we go, you and I, while we can? Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds"
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
But you could have gone by coach or driven. Idiot!
Lew Finnis
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,466
Appears that Dover Priory is open on Easter Monday after all
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/182232.aspx Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,693
Just Announced today
The competition to operate rail services between London, Kent and parts of East Sussex has been cancelled, the government has said.
The current incumbent, Southeastern, has been given a five-month extension to run the route until April 2020.
Go-Ahead runs Southeastern with Koelis through their joint venture Govia.
Go-Ahead chief executive David Brown said he was disappointed his firm's bid was not going to be considered by the Department for Transport.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We have taken the decision to cancel the South Eastern franchise competition.
"This follows significant concerns that continuing the competition process would lead to additional costs incurred to the taxpayer, with no certainty that this would deliver envisaged benefits for passengers in a timely fashion."
The spokesperson said the department would "use this period to develop a solution that delivers the capacity and performance benefits that passengers are expecting".
It will also allow the government to ensure that the recommendations of the review being conducted by the former boss of British Airways, Keith Williams, in to the railways, are taken into account.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,823
We can see across the country disputes that have been ongoing
Running transport for profit is in itself questionable.
That is paying high wages for top managers with little accountability
And then expecting as a private company still to be subsidised.
South East trains is not involved at this time in disputes
But still has quite a poor record
The end of the day its taxpayers money again here that is costing a fortune for, at times a very poor service
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,466
Looking ahead if you have any plans to travel between Christmas and New Year, the high speed line between Ashford and Ebbsfleet will be closed for engineering works between on the 27th, 28th and 29th.
Jan Higgins likes this
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,466
Southeastern have been naughty boys.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-58716625
The government has stripped rail operator Southeastern of its franchise after "a serious breach of good faith".
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said more than £25m of historical payments due to the Department for Transport were not paid.
He said the Operator of Last Resort would take over the running of rail services in the south east to protect taxpayers' interests.Guest 3925- Registered: 28 Nov 2020
- Posts: 541
"Operator of Last Resort" as a business name doesn't install confidence in me!
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,848
Sounds better that 'British Rail' for those of a certain age though!
"Shall we go, you and I, while we can? Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds"
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,017
I recall British Rail .Husband Station Master.Those were good days .Started off working for GWR .
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,823
I had 25 happy years with them
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS