§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will state, for each train operating company,(a) when the franchise was first renewed, (b) the length of the original franchise awarded, (c) the dates on which the franchise has since been awarded, (d) when the franchise is next due to be awarded and (e) details of changes in the ownership which have taken place since the franchise was first awarded. [21051]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe information requested is as listed.
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Current train operating company Original franchise commencement date Length of original franchise Original franchise expiry date Original franchisee Changes since original franchise commencement date Great Western 4 February 1996 10 years 3 February 2006 Great Western Holdings Ltd. FirstGroup plc acquired Great Western Holdings Ltd. in March 1998. Island Line 13 October 1996 5 years 12 October 2001 Stagecoach Holdings Two-year extension until 27 September 2003 agreed in March 2001. Midland Main Line 28 April 1996 10 years 27 April 2006 National Express Group Two-year extension agreed on 10 August 2000 North Western 2 March 1997 7 years 1 month 1 April 2004 Great Western Holdings Ltd. FirstGroup plc. acquired Great Western Holdings Ltd. in March 1998 ScotRail 31 March 1997 7 years 30 March 2004 National Express Group — Silverlink 2 March 1997 7 years 6 months 1 September 2004 National Express Group Formerly known as North London Railways South West Trains 4 February 1996 7 years 3 February 2003 Stagecoach Holdings plc Heads of Terms signed in April 2001 for a new franchise for up to 20 years with Stagecoach Holdings. New franchise agreement currently being negotiated. Thames Trains 13 October 1996 7 years 6 months 12 April 2004 Victory Railway Holdings In June 1998 it was agreed that Go-Ahead Group plc would take over from Victory Railway Holdings Thameslink 2 March 1997 7 years 1 month 1 April 2004 GoVia plc — Virgin Cross Country 5 January 1997 15 years 4 January 2012 Virgin Rail Group Ltd. — Virgin West Coast Trains 9 March 1997 15 years 8 March 2012 Virgin Rail Group Ltd. — Wales and West 13 October 1996 7 years 6 months 12 April 2004 Prism Rail Previously South Wales and West. The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001. West Anglia Great Northern 5 January 1997 7 years 3 months 4 April 2004 Prism Rail The takeover of Prism by National Express Group was agreed on 17 January 2001. Notes:
- 1.The Shadow SRA announced in June 2000 its intention to develop new franchises for Wales and Borders and Wessex. The SRA announced on 15 February 2001 that it had shortlisted four parties for negotiations to select a preferred operator for a new Wales and Borders franchise. On 2 March 2001 it announced that it had prequalified seven parties to prepare proposals for a new Wessex franchise.
- 2.The SRA will announce in due course how it will respond to the Secretary of State's recent draft statement on passenger rail franchising. Although the statement emphasises the importance of delivering short term benefits—essentially through existing franchises—as well as longer term improvements for passengers, this does not mean that there will be no early franchise replacements; it does not rule out the proposed Wessex and Wales and Borders franchises. The SRA will, however, consider all the options for delivering benefits to passengers, and take a realistic view about affordability and what represents value for money.
- 3.The 'Wales and Borders' managerial unit will consist of Valley Lines' services and Wales and West services within Wales and to some English destinations. Discussions are continuing with National Express Group on an early transfer of services within Mid-Wales (from Central Trains) to the new Wales and Borders management unit. Services in North Wales will currently continue to be operated by First North Western.
- 4.The 'Wessex Trains' managerial unit will consist of Wales and West services not transferring to Wales and Borders. London Waterloo-Exeter services and Reading-Brighton services will currently continue to be operated by South West Trains.