UK Department of Transport announced the companies that are running for the new West Coast Partnership (WCP) rail franchise and the next South Eastern franchise.
For the West Coast Partnership (WCP) franchise, three JVs were shortlisted:
• First Trenitalia West Coast Ltd, a joint venture between First Rail Holdings Ltd and Trenitalia SpA
• MTR West Coast Partnership Ltd, a joint venture between MTR Corporation (UK) Ltd and Guangshen Railway Company, with the following key sub-contractors:
– Deloitte MCS Ltd
– Panasonic Systems Europe
– Snowfall AB
– Trainline.com Ltd
– WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff
• West Coast Partnership Ltd, a joint venture between Stagecoach Group plc, Virgin Holdings Ltd and SNCF C3
The WCP will be responsible for services on the West Coast Main Line from April 2019 and will design and run the initial HS2 high speed services between London and Birmingham from 2026.
“FirstGroup, with our partner Trenitalia, will bid for the upcoming West Coast Partnership. We are well positioned with our partner to develop a completely new customer proposition both on the West Coast route, and, through the exciting opportunity this franchise offers to design and run initial services on the HS2 network,” Steve Montgomery, First Rail Managing Director said.
“The West Coast Partnership will support growth and better services on the West Coast Main Line while helping to ensure that HS2 becomes the backbone of Britain’s railways,” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said.
The winning bidder will collaborate with HS2 Ltd to design, launch and operate the initial HS2 services and deliver the transition of the timetable on the West Coast Main Line as it is revised to take advantage of the extra capacity provided by HS2. There are significant benefits in bringing the 2 projects closer together to ensure the best outcomes for passengers both before and after the start of the HS2 services.
For the South Eastern franchise, four bidders were selected:
• South Eastern Holdings Ltd, a joint venture company that on franchise award will be wholly owned by Abellio Transport Group Ltd and East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Ltd
• London and South East Passenger Rail Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Govia Ltd
• Stagecoach South Eastern Trains Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stagecoach Group plc
• Trenitalia UK Ltd, wholly owned by Trenitalia SpA
“We’re very pleased to be shortlisted for the two franchises. The South Eastern franchise marks the first time we are participating in a UK bidding process alone. After being awarded the PPQ passport less than two years ago, we are already delivering and demonstrating our commitment to the British market,” Barbara Morgante, CEO of Trenitalia said.
The consultation for people to share their views and priorities for the South Eastern franchise runs until 30 June 2017. The new franchise is planned to start in December 2018.
In addition, two companies have also applied for a pre-qualification questionnaire passport to allow them to enter the bidding process. These firms are now eligible to express an interest in all upcoming rail franchise competitions until September 2019.
These companies are Amey Rail Ltd and SNCF C3.
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