AquaBus New alliance Meet the Sightseeing ready to forged for megabus.com tours' bumper set sail rail bid A-Team launch The newspaper of Stagecoach Group Issue 66 Spring 07 By Steven Stewart tagecoach Group has been Sselected as the preferred bidder to operate and maintain the Manchester Metrolink tram Metrolink bid network. The announcement from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) will see Stagecoach Metrolink taking over the 37km system and the associated infrastructure. The contract will run for 10 years and is expected to begin within the next three months. right on track It will include managing a number of special projects sponsored by GMPTE to improve the trams and infrastructure to benefit passengers. Stagecoach Metrolink will also be Stagecoach Group out in front for 10-year tram contract responsible for operating tram services on the new lines to Oldham, Rochdale, Droylsden and Chorlton. Nearly 20 million passengers travel every year on the network, which generates an annual turnover of around £22million. ”We will build on our operational expertise to deliver a first-class service to passengers in Manchester.” Ian Dobbs Stagecoach already operates Supertram, a 29km tram system in Sheffield, incorpo- rating three routes in the city. Ian Dobbs, Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group’s Rail Division, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder to run Manchester’s Metrolink network, one of the UK’s premier light rail systems. “Stagecoach operates the tram system in Sheffield, where we are now carrying a record 13 million passengers a year, and we will build on our operational expertise to deliver a first-class service to passengers in Growing places: Plans are in place to tempt more people on to the tram in Manchester. Manchester in partnership with GMPTE. “We have developed an excellent the most successful light rail systems in the Metrolink network. • Altrincham - Manchester Piccadilly Chorlton in South Manchester. reputation for delivering high-quality bus UK. We attracted several high calibre bids “Stagecoach already has significant Rail Station It also has plans to take Metrolink into services in Manchester over the past decade, from experienced European companies for experience of operating a major UK tram • Bury - Manchester Piccadilly Rail Oldham and Rochdale town centres as well and we are already working hard on our the contracts to operate and maintain the system in Sheffield and I look forward to Station as to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury plans to improve Metrolink’s quality of Metrolink system. working with the company to provide first • Eccles - Manchester Piccadilly Rail and Manchester Airport . service to customers and attract more people “The bids have been rigorously evaluated class services for Metrolink passengers.” Station When the Metrolink expansion is to the tram.” to make sure that we get value for money Metrolink operates four routes: Last year, GMPTA secured £538 million complete, the network will cover nearly 60 GMPTE’s Interim Chief Executive, – and that the new operator can continue • Altrincham - Manchester City Centre to extend the Metrolink network to Oldham miles making it the biggest light rail system David Leather, added: “Metrolink is one of to provide a high quality service on the - Bury and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside, and in the UK. Door-to-door service Pledge to passengers for rural communities as new rail era dawns Aberdeenshire Council’s successful A2B dial-a-bus fleet has expanded with the launch of two services in partnership with Stagecoach Bluebird, creating four new driving South West Trains promises a decade of improvements jobs. These are provided via two new assengers using the UK’s low-floor minibuses funded by Nestrans, the transport partnership Pbiggest commuter rail Need to know for Aberdeen City and Shire. network have been promised a The new dial-a-bus service package of improvements over • South West Trains, the UK’s replaces a Stagecoach Bluebird biggest commuter rail franchise, the next decade with the start runs nearly 1,700 trains a day. timetabled service in the evening and of the new South West Trains now provides a door-to-door service • The South Western franchise to rural communities. franchise. combines two existing franchises: It provides direct transport for Stagecoach Group has operated South South West Trains and Island Line. journeys that may not have been West Trains since it ran the first privatised It includes services from London possible under the regular bus service. train in 1996 and was awarded a new 10-year Waterloo to Woking, Basingstoke, This allows users to book door-to- franchise by the Department for Transport Southampton, Portsmouth, Exeter, door journeys by phone and is open last September. Reading, Bournemouth, Weymouth, to everyone, including households The last decade has seen major changes Guildford and Salisbury, with the not on the existing bus route. on the South West Trains network, including Island Line operating between Trips can be booked up to replacing slam door trains with a £1 billion Ryde and Shanklin on the Isle of one week in advance. Fares are order of high-tech Desiro trains and radically Wight. comparable with the current bus overhauling the timetable, which has helped • The new 10-year franchise started service, and Aberdeenshire Connect transform performance. on February 4, with the last three through-tickets are available for Further improvements are planned for the years conditional upon preset those travelling onwards to or from next 10 years, including: performance criteria being met. Aberdeen. • The refurbishment of 14 major stations Stock answer: Further improvements are planned over the next 10 years. Councillor Alison McInnes said: • At least £20million of car park “The introduction of the new low- investments ”We have progressed every station will be repainted at a cost of South West Trains but for the rail industry floor minibuses will benefit residents • Installing ticket barriers at a further 13 £9million. as a whole. We have to find an answer to of all ages and levels of mobility. The stations steadily and are now giving A further 13 stations will have ticket this within our existing infrastructure, which new demand-responsive transport • The introduction of Smartcard ticket passengers some of the barriers installed, with Aldershot, Andover, is why we have reshuffled our rolling stock services demonstrate the benefits technology, compatible with Oyster in Bournemouth, Eastleigh, Fareham, Haslemere, to provide longer trains on routes where of partnership working between the London area. highest performance levels Portsmouth Harbour, Raynes Park, Salisbury, possible to offer more passengers a seat. Stagecoach Bluebird, Nestrans and St Margarets, Southampton Airport Parkway, “We have progressed steadily through the council.” Stewart Palmer, South West Trains they have ever had. We must Whitton and Winchester all set to benefit. the years and are now giving passengers Charlie Mullen, Managing Managing Director, said: “These are exciting some of the highest performance levels they Director of Stagecoach Bluebird, times for both South West Trains and our continue to build on our Other highlights of the franchise have ever had. We must continue to build added: “Stagecoach is delighted passengers. They have got a lot to look successes.” include: on our successes. This is the most complex to be working as a partner with forward to and we are going to have to work franchise anywhere on the UK rail network, Aberdeenshire Council in these harder than ever to make sure we achieve the • A significant increase in capacity, with but we are up to the challenge and are ready improved services, and is confident goals set. Stewart Palmer 21% more mainline peak seats and a to deliver.” that the accessible vehicles will prove “We are under no illusions about the 20% increase in peak suburban capacity The new franchise also incorporates popular and improve travel opportu- challenges we face. Over the next 10 years, we • A promise to retain the presence of a Island Line on the Isle of Wight. It operates nities considerably.” will have to pay the Government more than Trains network will be a major part of the guard on every service over the eastern side of the island. It has 8.5 £1 billion but, with more ticket barriers, more next 10 years. • Installation of a further 160 self-service miles of track, which is predominantly single ticket machines and the extension of bargain Around £40million will be spent on ticket vending machines to reduce ticket line, and serves eight stations between Ryde ticket schemes such as megatrain.com, we core station improvements, including better office queues. Pier Head and Shanklin. Fleet upgrade are opening up a lot more opportunities to subways, lighting, waiting rooms, booking halls, The Smartcard technology that will be generate and collect revenue.” toilets, shelters, seats and CCTV cameras on Stewart added: “Capacity is going to be a introduced across mainland stations will also at the double Improving stations on the South West every mainland station and train. Additionally, major issue over the next decade, not just for be extended to Island Line. in New York Contacts Gray Line New York Sightseeing has Editor: Steven Stewart, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, Stagecoach South Helen Martin 01243 536161 been undertaking a major upgrade of 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW. Stagecoach South West Mark Whittle 01392 889747 its fleet of 74 double-decker buses, Tel: +44 (0)1738 442111, Fax: +44 (0)1738 443076 National Transport Tokens Sajda Khan 01254 680180 beginning with 13 new environmen- www.stagecoachgroup.com tally friendly vehicles. The investment, valued at $6.5m, If you have a story for On Stage, please get in touch with your UK Rail will make the company the largest local contact below: South West Trains Lisa Davies 0207 620 5892 fleet operator of clean air double- Stagecoach Group Steven Stewart 01738 642040 Island Line Stephen Wade 01983 812591 deckers in the US.