21.07.17
New bi-mode fleet a requirement for East Midlands as consultation opens
The DfT has this week launched its public consultation on the new East Midlands franchise, including specifications for a new bi-mode fleet of intercity trains, whilst at the same time revealing that plans to electrify the Midland Main Line north of Kettering have been abandoned.
Speaking in the Commons to make a number of key announcements, including that a number of key electrification projects were to be scrapped, transport secretary Chris Grayling yesterday said that the consultation aimed to gather the views of passengers, businesses and communities in the area to find out what the priorities were for the new franchise.
The franchise services have been delivered by East Midlands Trains since 2007. This is due to continue until 4 March 2018 with an option to extend it for a further year. The transport secretary has decided to use the full extension period. Therefore, the East Midlands franchise is due to be awarded in April 2019 and the franchise begins its new schedule in August 2019. The consultation itself will run for 12 weeks until 11 October.
It follows DfT announcing its shortlist for the franchise back in March, saying that First Trenitalia East Midlands Rail, Stagecoach East Midlands Trains and Arriva Rail East would compete for the contract.
Grayling added that the consultation would also explain the planned process and timescales for awarding the franchise and also provide information about services on the current franchise. The document will also be supported by a number of public events for passengers in the region to share their views on the franchise.
“Our goals for the next East Midlands franchise are to improve journeys for passengers, drive even stronger economic growth and support investment across the whole region,” Grayling told MPs in the Commons.
“The next East Midlands franchise will help drive the Midlands Engine and improve passenger journeys by maximising the passenger benefits of the significant upgrade of the Midland Main Line, the biggest investment in the route since it was completed in 1870.”
The transport secretary also stated that the upgrade will enable reduced journey times and more seats for long distance passengers during peak hours from 2020, when the upgrade is due to be completed.
The consultation noted that there are a number of options for improvement, and it stated that there are distinct intercity and London commuter markets on the Midland Main Line and the DfT wants to improve the overall service offered to both.
An option being considered to improve intercity journey times between Sheffield (via Derby), Nottingham and London St Pancras is to not stop as often at stations used by commuters, such as Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough and Kettering. Passengers at these stations would instead be served by dedicated high quality commuter trains operating on the Corby – London route.
In sum, it added that the proposals will enable the next franchise to reduce journey times on the peak-time intercity long-distance services by up to 20 minutes; relieve overcrowding on all East Midlands services to and from London; introduce higher capacity trains, up to 12 carriages long, on dedicated commuter services; and deliver over 1,000 additional seats an hour in the peak into London, an increase of more than 50%.
“The next operator will be required to deliver modern, fast and efficient trains,” Grayling also said. “This includes a brand-new fleet of bi-mode intercity trains from 2022, delivering more seats and comfort for long-distance passengers.”
The transport secretary also discretely revealed that electrification plans for the area were to be scrapped, as he said the provision of the bi-mode trains meant that these old plans could be scrapped, as journeys could be improved, “without the need for wires and masts on the whole route”.
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