HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Building a Better Railway: New West Country Franchise Attracts Large Field [March 2001]
The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 2 March 2001.
The next step in the development of the Wessex franchise was taken today, as seven parties passed the SRA’s qualification process to submit proposals for the new franchise, designed to meet the growing demand for rail services in South West England.
The franchise has been designed to attract new investment and provide management focus on the important interurban and local services in the West Country, as well as improving cross country links between the region, Cardiff and the South Coast.
The companies / consortia confirmed as eligible to submit proposals are:
Connex Transport UK Limited (owners of the South Eastern franchise and current owners of South Central)
First Group Plc (owners of Great Eastern, North Western, and Great Western)
GB Railways Group Plc (owners of Anglia Railways)
Group 4 Falck Global Solutions Limited (new to rail franchise operation)
National Express Group PLC (owners of nine franchises – Central Trains, Cardiff Railway, Gatwick Express, C2C, Midland Mainline, ScotRail, Silverlink, Wales & West, WAGN)
SBB Laing – a partnership between Swiss Federal Railways and John Laing Investments Limited (Laing are the major shareholder in M40 Trains Limited, which is the preferred counterparty for the new Chiltern franchise)
Stagecoach Holdings plc (owners of South West Trains and Island Line and 49% shareholder in Virgin Rail Group Limited)
In addition, Virgin Rail Group Limited and First Group Plc will be separately submitting proposals to add the Cornwall & Plymouth Business Unit to their CrossCountry and Great Western franchises respectively, in competition with the Wessex propositions for these services. Individual lines within this Unit might be operated by locally based ‘micro-franchises’ – involving local interests linked with a parent franchise operator – subject to safeguards protecting safety, service reliability, and network benefits.
Mike Grant, Chief Executive of the SRA said:
We have assembled a highly competitive field to bid for this exciting new franchise.
I expect a keen competition to provide the best overall package of investment, service enhancements and improved provisions for passengers, plus value for money for taxpayers.
In evaluating proposals for this franchise we will take into account the potential benefits a neighbouring franchise-owner could add – however, a ‘solo’ or ‘free standing’ proposal is just as likely to win.
Prequalified companies will have 60 days in which to prepare detailed initial proposals, following which a shortlist will be invited to participate further in the replacement process.
