§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport which rail franchises are operated as a management contract; when each of these contracts began; why each was let as this type of contract in the first instance; and what changes to these franchises are planned. [81730]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe passenger rail franchises currently being operated as management contracts are set out in the table.
Franchise Start of management contract Current franchise expiry date Anglia March 2002 April 2004 Arriva Trains Merseyside February 2001 February 2003 Arriva Trains Northern February 2001 February 2003 First North Western March 2001 April 2004 Wales and Borders October 2001 April 2004 Wessex October 2001 April 2004 None of these franchises was initially let as a management contract. Current arrangements have been negotiated by the SRA as interim measures to ensure the continued viability of services or to facilitate changes to the franchise map.