Open Access Application - London to Cardiff (28/03/2019)

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Is that subject to DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) approval?

It would be interesting to examine the DfT thought processes involved.

Nothing is done without that anymore! 

[bobm]

Modern Railways saying the start date for Grand Union pushed back to end of 2027.

https://www.modernrailways.com/article/gu-carmarthen-service-delayed#:~:text=Grand%20Union%20Carmarthen%20service%20delayed&text=In%20late%202022%20the%20Office,services%20to%20begin%20in%202025.

Service may not start until 2027
Grand Union Trains has revised the start date for its new open access service between London Paddington and Carmarthen as it will take longer to order and introduce the new rolling stock for the service. Services may not now start until December 2027, more than two years later than planned.

[ChrisB]

And GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s maximum contract (if they get the additional 3 years) expires in 2028.

[IndustryInsider]

Oh dear.  Go-Op or Grand Central to launch first…place your bets please…all bets refunded if neither launches before 2050…

[ChrisB]

I can't see Go-Op getting off the ground before 2100 frankly

[TaplowGreen]

I can't see Go-Op getting off the ground before 2100 frankly

A joint launch with HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) could be on the cards? 

[TonyK]

I can't see Go-Op getting off the ground before 2100 frankly

Why not? It's only 1858 just now.

[TonyK]

I've had a look at my copy of "Old Bore's Almanac" for the year 2100 and find:

 - new fares for rail passengers to be charged according to weight to reflect the strain being put on the network. The first 150 kg will be included in the standard fare, with £10 per kg per kilometre for the next 50 miles, and £20 per kg per km over 200 kg. Anyone complaining that the fares now cost an arm and a leg can leave them at the station.

 - Keith Richards will headline Glastonbury on Sunday night

 - Go-Op announce that they will start small, and a new shorter route will begin "soon", between Bedminster and Parson Street

 - the first attempt by Malaysian King and Emperor Marvin to charge an access fee for the Ashton Vale guided busway, following its 11th reconstruction, results in the withdrawal of the twice daily MetroBust service

 - England lose on penalties

[ChrisB]

From Business Live, via MSN

Planned South Wales to London train service has a new operator

The company behind a new Carmarthen to Paddington train service scheduled to commence in 2027 has sold its rights on. Grand Union Trains, which secured approval to run a rival open access service to First Great Western from the Office of Rail and Road two years ago, has sold the new route to transport giant FirstGroup.

It follows on from Grand Union’s also selling its open access rights for a new Stirling to Euston (London) train service to FirstGroup in September. That service is scheduled to start next May.

The value of the south Wales to Paddington 10-year licence deal has not been disclosed. However, is understood that Grand Union had explored striking a deal with the Welsh Government’s transport body, Transport for Wales. TfW^▸ (Transport for Wales), which operates services on the Wales & Borders network

The strong projected passenger numbers between south Wales and London, including higher paying first class commuting customers, could have reduced the level of rail operating public subsidy TfW receives from the Welsh Government. One of the barriers to a possible deal was that the cost of new rolling stock for the route, through a leasing deal, would have been scored against the Welsh Government’s block grant due to a ONS^» (Office for National Statistics - website) classification.

FirstGroup will keep to Grand Union’s aim of launching the service in December 2027. It will confirm an order for new rolling stock in due course. Grand Union were looking to secure a leasing deal of around £110m, financed over 10 years, for four five-car trains built by Hitachi.

Grand Union had planned for five trains a day in both directions from Carmarthen to Paddington, stopping at Llanelli, Gowerton, Cardiff Central, Newport, Severn Tunnel and Bristol Parkway. They also planned was to add a stop at Cardiff Parkway, if the proposed mainline train station on the outskirts of the capital at St Mellons is realised.

The Welsh Government is still “actively considering” the project for planning with its integrated 900,000 sq ft business park.

Confirming the sale of its for its Carmarthen to London route managing director of Grand Union, Ian Yeowart, said: “We are confident that the strength and experience of FirstGroup with its experienced and focused management and delivery team, alongside the award-winning provision of its current open access operations, will provide an excellent service for passengers.”

[Sixty3Closure]

Not sure I quite understand how the current incumbent on a route buying the open access improves competition?

If GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) wanted to run more trains can't they apply to the DFT^▸ (Department for Transport) or propose a new timetable or is it like airport landing slots and they're all bought up?

Still seems to undermine the point of open access though.

[IndustryInsider]

The current incumbent probably won’t be the current incumbent by the time these services commence.

[grahame]

The current incumbent probably won’t be the current incumbent by the time these services commence.

Indeed. It strikes me more as a continuing way to operate the trains by First group - in December 1998 they bough out their partners in Great Western Trains, in April 1996 moved on to the extended Greater Western Franchise. In June 2022, the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) replaced the franchise agreement with a direct award contract ... and with the stated desire and legal powers for the government to take that over, perhaps they are looking at their next phase. After all, they have 26 years experience of running trains around here and want to continue to make use of that experience I would have thought.   A fares structure from the nationalised company such as the LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) one may may well make it all the more possible for them to put on a more attractive service for the wider flows with a good financial reward.