Item 10. Rail UpdateGreat Western Franchise

7 March 2012

Great Western Franchise

Consultation Dec 2011 to March 2012

Invitation to tender May 2012

Bids submitted Aug 2012

Award announced End 2012

Franchise starts April 2013

Franchise objectives

•Effectively manage franchise changes

•Provide appropriate capacity

•Improve passenger experience

•Punctuality and reliability

•Cost effective and efficient

•Possible devolution

West of England prioritiesRail Conference Top Three

•Greater Bristol Metro

•Re-open Portishead line

•Additional rolling stock

Other

•Electrification – extensions and EMUs

•Services, ticketing, stations, future aspirations

Key franchise issues•15 year franchise

•Current level of service = baseline

•Modest objectives

•Increment/decrement = ‘priced option’ approach

•Operator determine rolling stock and timetable

•Devolution to follow?

•34 Questions

Franchise Questions

•Factors influencing local passenger demand (Q2)•Investment priorities (Q5)•Devolved train services (Q8)•Franchise specification – mandated/discretion (Q10)•Train service changes (Q21)•Performance areas of concern (Q24)•Station enhancements and accessibility (Q25 and Q33)•Security (Q28), Ticketing (Q29) and Catering (Q31)

Neighbouring authorities•Additional Cardiff to Portsmouth stopping service and Wiltshire towns

•Train lengthening (Cardiff/Portsmouth/Taunton/Gloucester/Westbury)

•Four tracking of Filton Bank

•Bristol to Oxford service

•Ebbw Vale to Bristol Parkway

•New diesel fleet for the South West

Potential Bidders

•First Great Western

•Arriva (Deutsche Bahn)

•Network Express

•South West Trains (Stagecoach)

•Go-ahead (with SNCF) – withdrew

•Renfe (Spanish state company)

Implementing prioritiesDfT criteria

•Deliverability, robustness and operational impact

•Value for money

•Phased approach – 15 year franchise

•Evidence and business case – technical work

= Art of the possible!

Greater Bristol MetroEvidence and business case

Technical work David Crockett and Graeme

Pollard

Halcrow

Franchise response

•Covering letter and report

•Priorities for new franchise

•Greater Bristol Metro Phase 1 and 2

•Detailed response to 34 questions

• Technical evidence