House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 10 Dec 2001 (pt 10)

Rail Franchises

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will state, for each train operating company, (a) when the franchise was first renewed, (b) the length of the original franchise awarded, (c) the dates on which the franchise has since been awarded, (d) when the franchise is next due to be awarded and (e) details of changes in the ownership which have taken place since the franchise was first awarded. [21051]

Mr. Jamieson: The information requested is as listed.

Current train operating company Original franchise commencement date Length of original franchise Original franchise expiry date Original franchisee Changes since original franchise commencement date

Anglia Railways 5 January 1997 7 years 3 months 4 April 2004 GB Railways Group plc —

Arriva Trains Merseyside 19 January 1997 7 years 2 months 18 March 2004 MTL Trust Holdings Ltd. Previously Merseyrail Electrics. Arriva acquired the franchise from MTL in February 2000 for a period of 12 months on existing terms. An extension agreement was signed in February 2001 for a further two years

Arriva Trains Northern 2 March 1997 7 years 1 month 1 April 2004 MTL Trust Holdings Ltd. Previously Regional Railways North East and then Northern Spirit. Arriva acquired the franchise from MTL in February 2000 for a period of 12 months on existing terms. An extension agreement was signed in February 2001 for a further two years.

Cardiff Railway 13 October 1996 7 years 6 months 12 April 2004 Prism Rail The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.

Central Trains 2 March 1997 7 years 1 month 1 April 2004 National Express Group —

Chiltern Railways 21 July 1996 7 years 20 July 2003 M40 Trains Ltd. Heads of Terms signed in August 2000 for a new 20-year franchise with M40 Trains. New franchise agreement currently being negotiated.

Connex South Central 26 May 1996 7 years 25 May 2003 Connex Rail Ltd. (renamed Connex Transport UK Ltd.) Transferred to GoVia on 26 August 2001. New 20-year franchise agreement being negotiated with GoVia.

Connex South Eastern 13 October 1996 15 years 12 October 2011 Connex Rail Ltd. (renamed Connex Transport UK Ltd.) —

C2C 26 May 1996 15 years 25 May 2011 Prism Rail Formerly known as LTS Rail. The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.

Gatwick Express 28 April 1996 15 years 27 April 2011 National Express Group —

Great Eastern 5 January 1997 7 years 3 months 4 April 2004 FirstGroup PLC —

Great North Eastern Railway 28 April 1996 7 years 27 April 2003 GNER Holdings Ltd. Two-year extension being negotiated.

Great Western 4 February 1996 10 years 3 February 2006 Great Western Holdings Ltd. FirstGroup plc acquired Great Western Holdings Ltd. in March 1998.

Island Line 13 October 1996 5 years 12 October 2001 Stagecoach Holdings Two-year extension until 27 September 2003 agreed in March 2001.

Midland Main Line 28 April 1996 10 years 27 April 2006 National Express Group Two-year extension agreed on 10 August 2000

North Western 2 March 1997 7 years 1 month 1 April 2004 Great Western Holdings Ltd. FirstGroup plc. acquired Great Western Holdings Ltd. in March 1998

ScotRail 31 March 1997 7 years 30 March 2004 National Express Group —

Silverlink 2 March 1997 7 years 6 months 1 September 2004 National Express Group Formerly known as North London Railways

South West Trains 4 February 1996 7 years 3 February 2003 Stagecoach Holdings plc Heads of Terms signed in April 2001 for a new franchise for up to 20 years with Stagecoach Holdings. New franchise agreement currently being negotiated.

Thames Trains 13 October 1996 7 years 6 months 12 April 2004 Victory Railway Holdings In June 1998 it was agreed that Go-Ahead Group plc would take over from Victory Railway Holdings

Thameslink 2 March 1997 7 years 1 month 1 April 2004 GoVia plc —

Virgin Cross Country 5 January 1997 15 years 4 January 2012 Virgin Rail Group Ltd. —

Virgin West Coast Trains 9 March 1997 15 years 8 March 2012 Virgin Rail Group Ltd. —

Wales and West 13 October 1996 7 years 6 months 12 April 2004 Prism Rail Previously South Wales and West. The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.

West Anglia Great Northern 5 January 1997 7 years 3 months 4 April 2004 Prism Rail The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.

Current train operating company	Original franchise commencement date	Length of original franchise	Original franchise expiry date	Original franchisee	Changes since original franchise commencement date
Anglia Railways	5 January 1997	7 years 3 months	4 April 2004	GB Railways Group plc	—
Arriva Trains Merseyside	19 January 1997	7 years 2 months	18 March 2004	MTL Trust Holdings Ltd.	Previously Merseyrail Electrics. Arriva acquired the franchise from MTL in February 2000 for a period of 12 months on existing terms. An extension agreement was signed in February 2001 for a further two years
Arriva Trains Northern	2 March 1997	7 years 1 month	1 April 2004	MTL Trust Holdings Ltd.	Previously Regional Railways North East and then Northern Spirit. Arriva acquired the franchise from MTL in February 2000 for a period of 12 months on existing terms. An extension agreement was signed in February 2001 for a further two years.
Cardiff Railway	13 October 1996	7 years 6 months	12 April 2004	Prism Rail	The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.
Central Trains	2 March 1997	7 years 1 month	1 April 2004	National Express Group	—
Chiltern Railways	21 July 1996	7 years	20 July 2003	M40 Trains Ltd.	Heads of Terms signed in August 2000 for a new 20-year franchise with M40 Trains. New franchise agreement currently being negotiated.
Connex South Central	26 May 1996	7 years	25 May 2003	Connex Rail Ltd. (renamed Connex Transport UK Ltd.)	Transferred to GoVia on 26 August 2001. New 20-year franchise agreement being negotiated with GoVia.
Connex South Eastern	13 October 1996	15 years	12 October 2011	Connex Rail Ltd. (renamed Connex Transport UK Ltd.)	—
C2C	26 May 1996	15 years	25 May 2011	Prism Rail	Formerly known as LTS Rail. The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.
Gatwick Express	28 April 1996	15 years	27 April 2011	National Express Group	—
Great Eastern	5 January 1997	7 years 3 months	4 April 2004	FirstGroup PLC	—
Great North Eastern Railway	28 April 1996	7 years	27 April 2003	GNER Holdings Ltd.	Two-year extension being negotiated.
Great Western	4 February 1996	10 years	3 February 2006	Great Western Holdings Ltd.	FirstGroup plc acquired Great Western Holdings Ltd. in March 1998.
Island Line	13 October 1996	5 years	12 October 2001	Stagecoach Holdings	Two-year extension until 27 September 2003 agreed in March 2001.
Midland Main Line	28 April 1996	10 years	27 April 2006	National Express Group	Two-year extension agreed on 10 August 2000
North Western	2 March 1997	7 years 1 month	1 April 2004	Great Western Holdings Ltd.	FirstGroup plc. acquired Great Western Holdings Ltd. in March 1998
ScotRail	31 March 1997	7 years	30 March 2004	National Express Group	—
Silverlink	2 March 1997	7 years 6 months	1 September 2004	National Express Group	Formerly known as North London Railways
South West Trains	4 February 1996	7 years	3 February 2003	Stagecoach Holdings plc	Heads of Terms signed in April 2001 for a new franchise for up to 20 years with Stagecoach Holdings. New franchise agreement currently being negotiated.
Thames Trains	13 October 1996	7 years 6 months	12 April 2004	Victory Railway Holdings	In June 1998 it was agreed that Go-Ahead Group plc would take over from Victory Railway Holdings
Thameslink	2 March 1997	7 years 1 month	1 April 2004	GoVia plc	—
Virgin Cross Country	5 January 1997	15 years	4 January 2012	Virgin Rail Group Ltd.	—
Virgin West Coast Trains	9 March 1997	15 years	8 March 2012	Virgin Rail Group Ltd.	—
Wales and West	13 October 1996	7 years 6 months	12 April 2004	Prism Rail	Previously South Wales and West. The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.
West Anglia Great Northern	5 January 1997	7 years 3 months	4 April 2004	Prism Rail	The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001.

Notes:

1. The Shadow SRA announced in June 2000 its intention to develop new franchises for Wales and Borders and Wessex. The SRA announced on 15 February 2001 that it had shortlisted four parties for negotiations to select a preferred operator for a new Wales and Borders franchise. On 2 March 2001 it announced that it had prequalified seven parties to prepare proposals for a new Wessex franchise.

2. The SRA will announce in due course how it will respond to the Secretary of State's recent draft statement on passenger rail franchising. Although the statement emphasises the importance of delivering short term benefits—essentially through existing franchises—as well as longer term improvements for passengers, this does not mean that there will be no early franchise replacements; it does not rule out the proposed Wessex and Wales and Borders franchises. The SRA will, however, consider all the options for delivering benefits to passengers, and take a realistic view about affordability and what represents value for money.

3. The 'Wales and Borders' managerial unit will consist of Valley Lines' services and Wales and West services within Wales and to some English destinations. Discussions are continuing with National Express Group on an early transfer of services within Mid-Wales (from Central Trains) to the new Wales and Borders management unit. Services in North Wales will currently continue to be operated by First North Western.

4. The 'Wessex Trains' managerial unit will consist of Wales and West services not transferring to Wales and Borders. London Waterloo-Exeter services and Reading-Brighton services will currently continue to be operated by South West Trains.

10 Dec 2001 : Column: 567W

Railway Rolling Stock

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many different types of rolling stock were operated by each train operating company in each year since 1994; and in what year each rolling stock type was due to be replaced. [21052]

Mr. Jamieson: The information is not available in the form requested. However, I have placed in the Library of the House information on the different types of rolling

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stock currently in use by each train operator. This excludes Mark 1 slam door vehicles which are required to be removed from the network by 1 January 2005.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will state the (a) number and (b) type of new rolling stock ordered in each year since 1994 for each train operating company. [21050]

Mr. Jamieson: The information is provided in the table.

Vehicles ordered, by train operating company, since 1 January 1994

Total number of vehicles ordered

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Train operating company DMU EMU DMU EMU DMU EMU DMU EMU DMU EMU

Anglia Railways — — — — — — — — 24 —

Arriva Trains Northern⁽¹¹⁾ — — — — — — — — — 48

c2c⁽¹²⁾ — — — — — — — 184 — —

Central Trains — — — — — — — — 76 —

Chiltern Railways — — — — 12 — — — 8 —

Connex South Eastern — — — — — — — 120 — —

First Great Eastern — — — — — — — — — —

First Great Western⁽¹³⁾ — — — — — — — — 40 —

First North Western⁽¹⁴⁾ — — — — — — — — — 70

Gatwick Express — — — — — — — — — 64

Midland Main Line — — — — — — 34 — — —

Scotrail — — — — — — — — 45 120

South Central⁽¹⁵⁾ — — — — — — — — — —

South West Trains — — — — — — — 120 — —

Virgin Cross Country — — — — — — — — 352 —

Virgin West Coast — — — — — — — — — —

Totals 0 0 0 0 12 0 34 424 545 392

0 0 12 458 937

	Total number of vehicles ordered
	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998
Train operating company	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU
Anglia Railways	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	24	—
Arriva Trains Northern⁽¹¹⁾	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	48
c2c⁽¹²⁾	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	184	—	—
Central Trains	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	76	—
Chiltern Railways	—	—	—	—	12	—	—	—	8	—
Connex South Eastern	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	120	—	—
First Great Eastern	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
First Great Western⁽¹³⁾	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	40	—
First North Western⁽¹⁴⁾	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	70
Gatwick Express	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	64
Midland Main Line	—	—	—	—	—	—	34	—	—	—
Scotrail	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	45	120
South Central⁽¹⁵⁾	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
South West Trains	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	120	—	—
Virgin Cross Country	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	352	—
Virgin West Coast	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Totals	0	0	0	0	12	0	34	424	545	392

	0	0	12	458	937

10 Dec 2001 : Column: 569W

Vehicles ordered, by train operating company, since 1 January 1994

Total number of vehicles ordered

1999 2000 2001 Totals

Train operating company DMU EMU DMU EMU DMU EMU DMU EMU Total

Anglia Railways — — — — — — 24 0 24

Arriva Trains Northern⁽¹¹⁾ — — — 8 — — 0 56 56

c2c⁽¹²⁾ — — — 112 — — 0 296 296

Central Trains — — — — — — 76 0 76

Chiltern Railways 10 — 9 — — — 39 0 39

Connex South Eastern — — — — — — 0 210 210

First Great Eastern — — — — — 84 0 84 84

First Great Western⁽¹³⁾ 30 — — — — — 70 0 70

First North Western⁽¹⁴⁾ — — — — — — 0 70 70

Gatwick Express — — — — — — 0 64 64

Midland Main Line — — — — 10 — 44 0 44

Scotrail 27 — 6 — — — 78 120 198

South Central⁽¹⁵⁾ — — — — — 240 0 240 240

South West Trains — — 16 — — 785 16 905 921

Virgin Cross Country — — — — — — 352 0 352

Virgin West Coast — 477 — — — — 0 477 477

Totals 67 477 31 120 10 1,109 699 2,522 3,221

544 151 1,119 3,221

	Total number of vehicles ordered
	1999	2000	2001	Totals
Train operating company	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU	DMU	EMU	Total
Anglia Railways	—	—	—	—	—	—	24	0	24
Arriva Trains Northern⁽¹¹⁾	—	—	—	8	—	—	0	56	56
c2c⁽¹²⁾	—	—	—	112	—	—	0	296	296
Central Trains	—	—	—	—	—	—	76	0	76
Chiltern Railways	10	—	9	—	—	—	39	0	39
Connex South Eastern	—	—	—	—	—	—	0	210	210
First Great Eastern	—	—	—	—	—	84	0	84	84
First Great Western⁽¹³⁾	30	—	—	—	—	—	70	0	70
First North Western⁽¹⁴⁾	—	—	—	—	—	—	0	70	70
Gatwick Express	—	—	—	—	—	—	0	64	64
Midland Main Line	—	—	—	—	10	—	44	0	44
Scotrail	27	—	6	—	—	—	78	120	198
South Central⁽¹⁵⁾	—	—	—	—	—	240	0	240	240
South West Trains	—	—	16	—	—	785	16	905	921
Virgin Cross Country	—	—	—	—	—	—	352	0	352
Virgin West Coast	—	477	—	—	—	—	0	477	477

Totals	67	477	31	120	10	1,109	699	2,522	3,221

	544	151	1,119	3,221

⁽¹¹⁾ Formerly Northern Spirit

⁽¹²⁾ Formerly LTS Rail

⁽¹³⁾ Formerly Great Western Trains

⁽¹⁴⁾ Formerly North Western Trains

⁽¹⁵⁾ Formerly Connex South Central

Notes:

DMU—Diesel Multiple unit

EMU—Electric Multiple unit

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on arrangements for the (a) renewal and (b) replacement of rolling stock by train operating companies. [21048]

Mr. Jamieson: Opportunities exist for the refurbishment of existing rolling stock or the introduction of new rolling stock to be taken forward as part of any franchise extension or replacement proposal submitted to the Strategic Rail Authority. Train operating companies and rolling stock companies are free to place orders for new rolling stock in addition to any required under any such franchise extension or replacement proposals.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions

10 Dec 2001 : Column: 570W

he has had with the ROSCOs on how the supply of new rolling stock can be speeded up. [21738]

Mr. Jamieson: There have been regular ministerial discussions with rolling stock manufacturers concerning the timely delivery of new rolling stock. These discussions will continue. The Strategic Rail Authority is also setting up a pan-industry group specifically to address rolling stock issues. There will be ROSCO representation on that group.

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