OPRAF

Franchising Director welcomes new trains deal for Gatwick Express
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31 March 2022

Northern Northern Operator of Last Resort recycling

date 26 January 1998
source OPRAF
type Press release

Franchising Director John O'Brien today welcomed the announcement by
National Express Group (NEG) that the order for a completely new fleet of
rolling stock for its Gatwick Express franchise had been signed. He also
welcomed the associated package of benefits, which extends the good news
to passengers on a number of NEG's other franchises, as well as to
taxpayers.

The agreement is a good example of the Franchising Director's new
objectives in practice. Where non-compliance involves a material adverse
effect on passengers or taxpayers these require him to ensure that the
situation is remedied, as well as securing additional benefits as
compensation. In recognition of the revised date for the delivery of the new
rolling stock, NEG has offered, and the Franchising Director has agreed, the
package of benefits announced by NEG.

OPRAF originally awarded a 15 year franchise to NEG on condition that it
introduced a completely new fleet of rolling stock on the route, otherwise the
franchise would revert to seven years. Today's agreement has enabled the
Franchising Director to confirm the franchise at 15years.

Railhub Archive ::: 1998-01-26 OPR-001