First Group to take over West Coast Main Line

[Warbonnet]

Say goodbye to Virgin and hello to purple Pendos, First Group have won the WCML franchise http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/aug/15/virgin-trains-west-coast-mainline-firstgroup

[Broithe]

Frying pan -> towering inferno...?

[Warbonnet]

Frying pan -> towering inferno...?

 

Judging by the quotes at the bottom of the article you're probably right. Amazing the amount calling for re-nationalisation. I travelled London-Glasgow and back a few years ago and I wasn't overly impressed, especially with the Pendos. GNER were streets ahead from a customer point of view. Not much experience with FGW, but used First Capital Connect on a regular basis and they were okay for a cattle train.

[Broithe]

It has the ( rather obvious ) look of an 'over-bid', just as both GNER and then National Express did to win the East Coast one - then they both just abandoned it, one after the other, when they couldn't make the income for themselves (shock!) - the taxpayer then ended up paying even more in...

 

Progress is not always forwards.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Why do First Group get the Pendo's do Virgin not own them

[Warbonnet]

Why do First Group get the Pendo's do Virgin not own them

 

Nope, they're leased like most other passenger stock in the UK. When the franchise ends they're transferred on to the new franchise holder.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Big piece on the BBC 1 O'Clock News on this subject doesn't seem to be going down to well on the mainland

[Broithe]

Big piece on the BBC 1 O'Clock News on this subject doesn't seem to be going down to well on the mainland

 

In general, these schemes all end up making it worse and more expensive..

[decauville1126]

Usually the 'majority' of the employees up to senior management level simply transfer into the new franchisee, just as they did on privatisation. The new franchisee needs the highest level of existing knowledge to get their feet under the table and continue seemless operations. They'll probably have a few units repainted and rebranded ready for the press at handover time but strip the existing branding and logos from rest until they too are repainted. The leasing companies will proably just deal with the same individuals but the phone answering will say a different name. The only real comparison will be several years down the line making like-for-like judgements very difficult

[skinner75]

I heard on the radio that the price they paid for the contract means that they will have to grow the business by 10% each year for the next ten years - doesn't sound even remotely possible to me. I wouldn't like to be a commuter on the WCML - as I reckon fare increases are definetely on the cards

[Broithe]

Virgin are to introduce three daily flights from Heathrow to Manchester...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19324962

[Blaine]

Big piece on the BBC 1 O'Clock News on this subject doesn't seem to be going down to well on the mainland

 

Didnt think the French or the Germans would be too interested in it really

 

Anyway, Richard Branson is understandably not impressed, but his reasonings make for interesting reading (scroll down a bit) http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog

[Guest hidden-agenda]

Didnt think the French or the Germans would be too interested in it really

 

Anyway, Richard Branson is understandably not impressed, but his reasonings make for interesting reading (scroll down a bit) http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog

 

Ed what has the French or Germans got to do with the MAINLAND UK?

I hope to see you at the Carrickfergus show the week-end.

[Broithe]

Ed what has the French or Germans got to do with the MAINLAND UK?

 

Deutsche Bahn had a go - http://www.dbschenker.com/ho-en/start.html - at the freight side..

[Blaine]

Ed what has the French or Germans got to do with the MAINLAND UK?

I hope to see you at the Carrickfergus show the week-end.

 

???????????

[Guest hidden-agenda]

Deutsche Bahn had a go - http://www.dbschenker.com/ho-en/start.html - at the freight side..

 

A dose of this me thinks.

[video=youtube;on2I1U-F3BY]

[Tarabuses]

Ed what has the French or Germans got to do with the MAINLAND UK?

I hope to see you at the Carrickfergus show the week-end.

 

Deutsche Bahn did buy the UK Arriva bus group so I presume they would be interested in rail franchises too.

[Warbonnet]

Deutsche Bahn did buy the UK Arriva bus group so I presume they would be interested in rail franchises too.

 

They also own a number of passenger rail franchises. Chiltern, Arriva, Cross Country, Grand Central...

[Broithe]

Virgin starts court action - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19402133 - after offer to run it free of subsidy whilst it's reviewed is rejected by the Government.