§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the criteria which will be used by the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority in assessing bids for new or extended passenger rail franchising, and what is the process and timetable for inviting bids, evaluating them and awarding new or extended franchises. [HL4248]
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The Deputy Prime Minister issued new instructions and guidance to the Franchising Director at the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority on 29 September. These included at paragraphs 21 to 24 instructions relating specifically to the criteria to be used for consideration of bids for franchise extension or re-letting. There is a copy of the instructions and guidance in the Library. The process and timetable for inviting and evaluating bids are matters for the Franchising Director. The award of new franchises or franchise extensions of more than two years would be subject to ministerial approval.