3 Item No. 3 TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL PUBLIC TRANSPORT LIAISON GROUP – 17 JANUARY 2001 REPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION & HIGHWAYS SERVICES MANAGER (A) South Central Rail Franchise Replacement Executive summary This report (PTLG/00/01/01) concerns the shadow Strategic Rail Authority’s decision to seek a new franchise agreement for the Connex South Central franchise. FOR INFORMATION Introduction 1) The shadow Strategic Rail Authority announced in 1999 that it wished to negotiate longer replacements, for upto 20 years, of all the rail franchises expiring within the next five years. Within the southeast of England there are two main franchise operations, Connex South Eastern and Connex South Central. It is the Connex South Central franchise that is directly affected by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority’s announcement as it began in May 1996 and is due to end in May 2003. 2) The Connex South Central franchise is operated by Connex Rail Limited (part of Vivendi SA) and runs predominantly commuter services to London from Surrey and Sussex, as well as services to Gatwick and Brighton, and South Coast services between Bournemouth, Brighton, Hastings and Ashford. Within the area of the Connex South Central franchise there is only one line which crosses the Borough of Tunbridge Wells, the Oxted to Uckfield line, and only one station on that line, Ashurst, which lies within the Borough. Replacement franchise aims and objectives 3) The shadow Strategic Rail Authority stated that, in the prequalification process, they would be looking for; • commitment to performance, customer services, innovation, investment and efficiency; • the extent to which extra or earlier investment can be obtained; • the extent to which better performance can be secured; • the extent to which integrated transport measures both within the rail network and between rail and other transport modes can be achieved, including integrated public transport information systems; • affordability and value for money. 4) The shadow Strategic Rail Authority also stated that the franchise replacement was aimed at ensuring; • Improvement in the quality of passenger services • Better performance • Investment in extra services • High quality rolling stock providing additional capacity • New infrastructure • Easier access to the railway • Better integration with other forms of transport. 4 Report of the Transportation & Highways Services Manager (Continued) 5) The shadow Strategic Rail Authority did however stress that existing franchisees retained their contractual rights as long as they did not default on their obligations. Consequently those companies that wished to make a proposal in relation to an existing franchise would have to reach agreement with the incumbent and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority as to the terms for giving up or transferring that franchise. The replacement franchise 6) Three companies prequalified for the South Central franchise replacement, Connex Rail (subsidiary of Vivendi SA), GoVia (franchisee of Thameslink) and Stagecoach (franchisee for neighbouring South West Trains franchise). Two companies were then selected for negotiations, Connex Rail and GoVia, in which the shadow Strategic Rail Authority sought evidence that the operators were committed to a radical improvement in service quality. In particular, the shadow Strategic Rail Authority required undertakings from companies that there would be continuous improvements for passengers to create an overall journey experience which met passenger expectations from enquiry to arrival. This is detailed in the shadow Strategic Rail Authority document “A guide to Franchise Replacement” issued on 25th May 2000. A copy of this document, obtained from the shadow Strategic Rail Authority’s website (www.sra.gov.uk), can be supplied to members of the group if they wish. 7) On 24th October 2000, the shadow Strategic Rail Authority issued a press statement which stated that it had signed heads of terms with GoVia as the preferred counterparty for the new replacement South Central franchise and that the services would be branded as “New Southern Railway”. However, until terms have been agreed between GoVia and Connex Trains (the current franchise holder), and approved by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority, the new franchise agreement would not be signed. A copy of the press statement is included as an appendix to this report. The Network Management Statement and GoVia’s plans 8) At the last meeting of this group in October 2000, a report was presented on Railtrack’s Network Management statement. The statement included, as a low priority proposal, the electrification of the Oxted to Uckfield line. In their press release, GoVia state that they intend to electrify the line by 2004. 9) The Network Management statement also mentioned the redoubling of the line and, should demand require it, the reopening of the Lewes-Uckfield and Eridge-Tunbridge Wells lines. In their press release GoVia undertook to carry out a feasibility study into the reopening of the Wealden Line between Uckfield and Lewes but the Eridge- Tunbridge Wells is not specifically mentioned. Franchise commencement date 10) As stated earlier in this report, the current Connex franchise ends in May 2003. This is therefore the latest date on which the new GoVia franchise will commence. If suitable terms for giving up or transferring the existing franchise are agreed then the new franchise will commence earlier however there is no information available as to when that might happen. RECOMMENDED - That the report be noted. Contact Officer : Andy Smart 5 Report of the Transportation & Highways Services Manager (Continued) Press release from shadow Strategic Rail Authority dated 24th October 2000 Building a Better Railway: £1.5 Billion Investment for New South Central Franchise The shadow Strategic Rail Authority (sSRA) has signed heads of terms with GoVia as the preferred counterparty for the new replacement South Central franchise. GoVia, (current operators of Thameslink) plan to brand the services, which run to South London, Gatwick Airport, Brighton and the South Coast, as the 'New Southern Railway'. Subject to satisfactory fulfilment of the undertakings to the SRA throughout the life of the franchise, GoVia will run the business for 20 years. Over this period, it will be expected to implement an investment programme valued at up to £1.5 billion to introduce new trains and upgrade track and stations in order to raise standards, improve train service performance and provide additional capacity. A new Franchise Agreement will be signed with GoVia once detailed negotiations and funding plans have been developed and terms have been agreed between them and Connex Transport UK Limited, the current operator, for the early transfer of the existing South Central franchise. Safety The proposal includes funding for train protection systems, the details of which are to be determined following recommendations from the current inquiries. The entire stock of Mark 1 'slam door' vehicles to be replaced by 2004 at the latest. GoVia have undertaken to support all forthcoming industry safety initiatives. It will comply with all relevant recommendations of the current inquiries. The company have undertaken to ensure that all new trains in service after December 2003 will be fitted with Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) and provision be made for European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). They plan to invest £1.2 million per year on the training and development of staff including, for train drivers, the use of simulators and other forms of improved training procedures. Early Benefits The heads of terms envisage a set of agreements next year which will provide users of the South Central network with the following benefits. (Expected delivery dates are provided in brackets). • Introduction of new rolling stock. 396 vehicles to be delivered by 2002, and a further 334 by 2004. Additional trains to be brought into service each year throughout the duration of the franchise to meet expected demand, totalling 1000 new vehicles. • Upgrading of infrastructure to provide greater capacity on the Brighton Main Line (2006) and the Arun Valley Line (2004). • Enhancement of the South London Metro (suburban services) including high frequency, all day service with generally higher frequencies from early morning to late evening, earlier first trains, later last trains, and longer trains on some routes (2001 delivery). • Electrification of the lines between Ashford and Hastings, and between Uckfield and Hurst Green, providing through electric trains between London and Uckfield (2004). • Improvements in operational performance - GoVia to commit to a target of nine out of ten trains arriving within 5 minutes of scheduled time (2005), rising to 15 out of 16 trains (2010). 6 Report of the Transportation & Highways Services Manager (Continued) Press release from shadow Strategic Rail Authority dated 24th October 2000 (continued) • Refurbishment of entire power-door rolling stock (early 2002 to late 2005) • Opening of new station at Eastfields in the London Borough of Merton (2004) • Passenger's Charter improvements include compensation for delays and missed connections, more customer focused compensation arrangements and a commitment to improve information and customer service (2001). • Upgrading of infrastructure facilities to allow faster trains to overtake slower stopping services on the South Coastway (2004). • A 'Stakeholder Board' to be introduced to give passengers a voice in