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![]() Railhub Archive | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Strategic Rail AuthorityFour invited to submit final bids for Wales and Borders franchise
Arriva Trains Ltd GB Railways Plc/Connex Transport UK Limited National Express Group PLC Serco Rail/Netherlands Railways The final bidder will be selected once the best and final offers have been received and considered. Nick Newton, Chief Operating Officer said: "We have four strong contenders to take through to the next stage of tendering for this new, allWales rail franchise. The franchise will give certainty to passengers throughout the area and will provide the services a nd benefits they deserve." Notes to Editors 1. The franchise term is for 15 years. 2. The SRA announced in January 2002 that eight parties had prequalified: Arriva Trains Ltd, Connex Transport UK Ltd, FirstGroup plc, GB Railways Group plc, National Express Group plc, NS/Dutch Railways, Serco Ltd, Keolis SA. First Group announced their withdrawal from the process in May 2002. The SRA accepted a joint bid from GB Railways Plc/Connex Transport UK Ltd in July 2002. In addition, the SRA agreed to take forward the initial Serco bid as a joint venture bid by Serco/Netherlands Railways. 3. It will include all local and regional passenger rail services within Wales, services from Cardiff to Hereford, Shrewsbury and Manchester, and those from Wales to Birmingham, North West England and the West Country. The services are currently operated by National Express Group plc, using the "Wales & Borders" branding - with the exception of services in North Wales and parts of the North West of England, currently operated by First North Western. 4. The Wales & Borders franchise will bring together under one management the local and interurban trains in Wales and the Welsh Border counties plus many longer distance services running between Wales and the West Midlands and North West England. 5. The new franchise will include the operation of all stations in Wales, and those predominately served by the new franchise in the border counties, including Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford. 6. Long-distance high-speed services to and from Wales will continue to be operated by First Great Western, Virgin CrossCountry and Virgin West Coast. 7. The SRA today also announced the shortlisted bidders for the Merseyrail franchise. 8. The SRA is the government body responsible for allocating funding to the railways, and providing leadership to the rail industry.
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