Strategic Rail Authority

Preferred bidders announced for Transpennine Express
_______________________________________________________________

date 6 November 2002
source Strategic Rail Authority
type Press release

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has invited two bidders, Connex Transport
UK Ltd and First Group/Keolis SA to move to the final stage of the
replacement process for the TransPennine Express franchise.

The new franchise has been created to meet the demand for fast, high quality
passenger rail services on longer journeys between major towns and cities
across the North of England. It has been developed by the SRA in
consultation with five local Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs). The SRA
anticipates announcing the preferred bidder early in the New Year.

The SRA is also developing proposals for a Northern Rail franchise
incorporating rural and urban services currently operated within the existing
Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western networks. The SRA will be
restarting the competition for Northern Rail in order to incorporate the benefits
of its new franchising policy announced today, and enable to potential new
bidders to express an interest in the franchise.

The SRA will open negotiations with current operator Arriva Trains Northern
on an interim franchise to operate services until the TransPennine franchise
commences in late 2003 and Northern Rail franchises commences in the
summer of 2004.

Richard Bowker, SRA Chairman, says:
"Today's initiatives bring stability and clarity for passengers in the north of
England and the TransPennine franchise will deliver a new generation of fast
frequent and high quality services between key northern destinations."

Franchise Policy Statement

Notes to Editors
1. The franchise term for the TransPennine Express franchise will be for
eight years with the option to extend for five years at the discretion of
the SRA.
2. The TransPennine Express franchise will serve the regions of five
PTEs: Greater Manchester, Merseyside (Merseytravel), Tyne & Wear
(Nexus), South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
3. The Secretary of State for Transport gave a direction under Section 26
of the Railways Act 1993 on 12th September 2002 to proceed with the
next stage of awarding the TPE franchise leading to the selection of a
preferred bidder.
4. The previously shortlisted parties for franchise were Arriva plc, Connex
Transport UK Ltd; and a consortium of Keolis SA and First Group plc.
5. The Secretary of State for Transport today gave direction, in
accordance with Section 26a of the Railways Act 1993, to enable the
negotiation of an Interim Franchise with ATN to ensure the continuation
of the provision of services until the TPE franchise commences in late
2003 and the Northern Rail franchise sometime in Summer 2004. The
current Arriva Trains Northern Franchise expires in February 2003.

Railhub Archive ::: 2002-11-06 SRA-001