Arriva Cross Country gets awarded a new three year contract

[TNL33036]

Arriva will continue to operate the XC franchise in which it's expected to end come October 2019 also includes Metroline being awarded a PQQ (Pre-qualification questionnaire passport).

www.gov.uk/government/news/better-journeys-for-passengers-on-the-cross-country-network

[snoggle]

There is an explanatory video with Andy Cooper, XC Trains MD explaining in more detail what the new franchise entails.

vimeo.com/184808769/cd57418360

[TNL33036]

West Midlands Rail have announced their proposals to take over XCs 170 operated routes and incorporate them within the West Midlands franchise when XCs franchise ends in October 2019:

www.railmagazine.com/news/network/exclusive-west-midlands-stakes-a-claim-for-nottingham-traffic

[TNL33036]

XC to withdraw their entire HST fleet:

[vjaska]

Mar 5, 2023 15:47:37 GMT TNL33036 said:

XC to withdraw their entire HST fleet:

Not a popular decision I see

[snowman]

Mar 5, 2023 15:47:37 GMT TNL33036 said:

XC to withdraw their entire HST fleet:

Cross Country still haven't restored many of its trains that were axed 3 years ago when the pandemic started, this suggests they have decided to make some cut's permanent, as they will be short of trains to restore them all.

GWR have been using them on Cardiff-Bristol-Plymouth trains, and are phasing them out, with trains changing to 5car IET bi-modes, released by cutting back other services.

But the youngest HSTs are 41 years old, so probably time they retired.