Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
In assessing bids for new or extended rail passenger franchises, what weight is given to: (a) present performance of franchisees: (b) new service proposals; and (c) price offered. [HL2759]
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)There are no specified weightings. The Instructions and Guidance which the Deputy Prime Minister gave to the Franchising Director last year ask him to evaluate replacement bids giving due weight to the following criteria; 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 can be achieved; the extent to which passengers will be a greater voice in the level and standard of services and affordability and value for money to the taxpayer.
Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What levels of poor service to passengers would exclude existing franchise operators from being awarded new or extended rail passenger franchises in compliance with the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising Objectives, Instructions and Guidance for the Secretary of State. [HL2760]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonThere are no specific levels—past performance is one of the many criteria that will be taken into account when assessing bids for new franchises.