|
Post by TNL33036 on Jun 7, 2018 17:08:13 GMT
|
|
|
Post by TNL33036 on Sept 6, 2018 19:59:31 GMT
|
|
|
Post by snowman on Feb 12, 2019 10:44:43 GMT
|
|
|
Post by titan1mike on Apr 10, 2019 7:22:19 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 7:44:21 GMT
Its also worth noting that Stagecoach are/were barred from bidding for the East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast franchises as their bids were non-compliant. I believe this will take Stagecoach entirely out of the UK rail network, unless they negotitate with the DfT.
|
|
|
Post by wirewiper on Apr 10, 2019 8:18:13 GMT
Its also worth noting that Stagecoach are/were barred from bidding for the East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast franchises as their bids were non-compliant. I believe this will take Stagecoach entirely out of the UK rail network, unless they negotitate with the DfT.
Interesting article - Stagecoach are certainly pulling no punches.
|
|
|
Post by snowman on Apr 10, 2019 9:02:26 GMT
Its also worth noting that Stagecoach are/were barred from bidding for the East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast franchises as their bids were non-compliant. I believe this will take Stagecoach entirely out of the UK rail network, unless they negotitate with the DfT. Interesting analysis. Potential pensions shortfall that they are expected to cover without knowing liabilities. Doesn't make commercial sense to me why anyone should inherit previous shortfall and be expected to restore it during a time limited franchise. Of course should 100% fund pension liabilities incurred during your tenure, but that should be it. I suspect Stagecoach are getting the knives in early, so they can claim a foul if new franchisee fails. It has subsequently come out that Stagecoach wouldn't commit to an unacheivable requirement in SWT franchise which current Operator accepted, but can't now acheive, so not really that surprising they are frustrated and have had a go at DfT over awards that are highly likely not going to be delivered 100%
|
|
|
Post by rif153 on Apr 10, 2019 9:02:27 GMT
The hydrogen fuel cell trais certainly caught my eye. Perhaps that'll be used as the DfT's excuse for not electrifying the remainder of the Midland Main Line
|
|
|
Post by YY13VKP on Apr 10, 2019 9:10:37 GMT
Absolutely terrible decision by the Department for Transport. Although I’ve never used East Midlands Trains, I have been using South West Trains and more recently Virgin Trains and I have to say they are one of the best companies I’ve ever used. Their customer service is second to none, especially with Virgin Trains and they’ve also been very reliable, look at the dip in punctuality on South Western Railway since Stagecoach lost the South West franchise for example.
This decision is also very bad for the British economy as particularly within the next west coast franchise, Stagecoach/Virgin were the only British company in the competition (with a 30% contribution from SNCF) , First had a 70/30 bid with Trenitalia and they’re struggling as it is and the MTR bid for the West Coast is wholly foreign.
I’m sure Stagecoach will appeal the decision by the DfT to exclude them from the franchising competition as a matter of sorting out pension funds can be sorted out behind closed doors rather than them being excluded. I also wouldn’t be surprised if this ultimately proves to be Chris Grayling’s downfall
|
|
|
Post by george on Apr 10, 2019 9:14:11 GMT
Absolutely terrible decision by the Department for Transport. Although I’ve never used East Midlands Trains, I have been using South West Trains and more recently Virgin Trains and I have to say they are one of the best companies I’ve ever used. Their customer service is second to none, especially with Virgin Trains and they’ve also been very reliable, look at the dip in punctuality on South Western Railway since Stagecoach lost the South West franchise for example. This decision is also very bad for the British economy as particularly within the next west coast franchise, Stagecoach/Virgin were the only British company in the competition (with a 10% contribution from SNCF) , the rest of the companies were wholly foreign. I’m sure Stagecoach will appeal the decision by the DfT to exclude them from the franchising competition as a matter of sorting out pension funds can be sorted out behind closed doors rather than them being excluded. I also wouldn’t be surprised if this ultimately proves to be Chris Grayling’s downfall Agreed stagecoach ran south west trains very well, better than what first have done
|
|
|
Post by 700101 on Apr 10, 2019 10:26:07 GMT
Really shocked about this 😳, Abellio with another win. (With them winning the east mids franchise & stagecoach disqualified for SE franchise can see Govia keeping SE) I see there first aim is to get the 222 of the Corby next year and replace some of there HST, noticed the Corby’s will be refurbished modern EMU’s which looks like either the 379’s or 350/2 (hoping for the 379’s) as these both tie in to both getting replaced around the same times.
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Apr 10, 2019 10:32:53 GMT
Its also worth noting that Stagecoach are/were barred from bidding for the East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast franchises as their bids were non-compliant. I believe this will take Stagecoach entirely out of the UK rail network, unless they negotitate with the DfT. Interesting. What it proves is that Stagecoach are nobody's fool. They have long been an "awkward" contractor on rail franchises and have taken legal action against the DfT umpteen times. I suspect this is unstated revenge by the DfT for all those past troubles. Of course it is DfT's right to exclude what they consider as non compliant just as it is Stagecoach's right not to take on unfunded open ended liabilities. Trying to shove historical pension liabilities onto franchisees is the sort of idiotic thing that a Grayling led department would do. I suspect this one will run and run because at some point there will be problems with pensions and the TOC in question will challenge the contract. This will rebound on the DfT and Treasury at some point. It's all a bit sad because Stagecoach for all their awkwardness over their contracts have been a decent enough rail operator. They ran SWT well and East Midlands are reasonable enough although I haven't used them a great deal. Stagecoach will remain as a partner on Virgin West Coast until that franchise ends. I suspect Richard Branson is not happy at being booted off the West Coast Partnership deal because of the DfT's decision. I expect he will be on the phone to the Prime Minister.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 11:28:01 GMT
Its also worth noting that Stagecoach are/were barred from bidding for the East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast franchises as their bids were non-compliant. I believe this will take Stagecoach entirely out of the UK rail network, unless they negotitate with the DfT. Interesting. What it proves is that Stagecoach are nobody's fool. They have long been an "awkward" contractor on rail franchises and have taken legal action against the DfT umpteen times. I suspect this is unstated revenge by the DfT for all those past troubles. Of course it is DfT's right to exclude what they consider as non compliant just as it is Stagecoach's right not to take on unfunded open ended liabilities. Trying to shove historical pension liabilities onto franchisees is the sort of idiotic thing that a Grayling led department would do. I suspect this one will run and run because at some point there will be problems with pensions and the TOC in question will challenge the contract. This will rebound on the DfT and Treasury at some point. It's all a bit sad because Stagecoach for all their awkwardness over their contracts have been a decent enough rail operator. They ran SWT well and East Midlands are reasonable enough although I haven't used them a great deal. Stagecoach will remain as a partner on Virgin West Coast until that franchise ends. I suspect Richard Branson is not happy at being booted off the West Coast Partnership deal because of the DfT's decision. I expect he will be on the phone to the Prime Minister. There’s no reason why Virgin couldn’t find a new partner or bid alone, it’s unlikely but not impossible to conceive.
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Apr 10, 2019 11:37:45 GMT
There’s no reason why Virgin couldn’t find a new partner or bid alone, it’s unlikely but not impossible to conceive. It's too late. The contract for WCP is due to be awarded in June this year. All the bid info and financing would have been settled a while back. Stagecoach have always brought in the railway operating expertise while Virgin have done the marketing. Virgin are not a railway company in their own right. It is not possible to restructure a bid and resubmit it now - the other bidders would cry foul. What may well happen is that the DfT face multiple legal challenges from Virgin, from Stagecoach and from SNCF. If that happens then who knows what will transpire. A delay to the award of WCP will put a lot of pressure on the DfT in respect of HS2. I suspect there is a lot more to all this than how it is being presented. I would not be shocked if Abellio / Dutch Railways find themselves being challenged back in the Netherlands as to why they are signing up to a deal with a potentially large financial risk attached. I can't imagine the Dutch government or a share of Dutch voters will be happy at Abellio taking on a risk that UK based private sector bidders would not touch. Abellio is losing money hand over fist on Greater Anglia and their involvement in Scotrail has been far from trouble free.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2019 14:27:12 GMT
Certainly a war of words between dft and Stagecoach, whose shares are down 10% in early trading today. I’m not an expert in pensions but we all know there is a looming crisis. Wouldn’t exactly fill me with confidence if I was an employee of East Midlands. Quite how do Abellio plan to cover these costs ? I note many commentators pointing out how many promises have been broken by Abellio on the Greater Anglia franchise. Is this a poisoned chalice for the Dutch ?
|
|