{"id":75706,"date":"2016-11-04T07:06:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T07:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=9b3cdd17acbdb570b12aa313b31e2229"},"modified":"2016-11-04T07:06:00","modified_gmt":"2016-11-04T07:06:00","slug":"statement-to-parliament-rail-franchising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=75706","title":{"rendered":"Statement to Parliament: Rail franchising: InterCity West Coast and HS2"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Today (4 November 2016), I am announcing the competition for a new combined rail franchise<\/a> \u2013 the West Coast Partnership<\/a> (WCP<\/abbr>).<\/p>\n

This new proposition is seeking to attract a world class partner to develop and enhance the existing InterCity West Coast (ICWC<\/abbr>) operation and help shape the development of HS2<\/abbr> and operate its first services in 2026.<\/p>\n

We are embarking on a new chapter in the modernisation of our railways. A strong private sector partner is vital now to work with government and as an advocate for passengers on the West Coast, to ensure excellent passenger services in the run up to HS2<\/abbr> introduction, and a smooth transition to the next generation of rail franchising as HS2<\/abbr> becomes the new backbone of Britain\u2019s railways.<\/p>\n

I want to be very clear that this is a new type of franchise requiring a new kind of approach to bidding.<\/p>\n

A unique feature of this competition is that the winning bidding group will need transformational expertise across all rail operational and customer service disciplines.<\/p>\n

The new operator will need to build on the existing ICWC<\/abbr> long-distance, inter-city, cross-border services between England, Scotland and Wales by delivering a service which truly puts passengers at the heart of the railway.<\/p>\n

The new operator will have to demonstrate how they will drive up punctuality and reliability \u2013 working to deliver a right time journey experience for passengers and examine closely the potential for better connections between the towns and cities they serve to enable economic growth.<\/p>\n

The new operator will also need to bring about a transformation in passenger satisfaction around fares and ticketing, delivering the passengers\u2019 expectation to have all of the information they need to choose the best ticket for their journeys.<\/p>\n

This exciting competition is aimed at attracting a world class partner to enhance and develop the ICWC<\/abbr> services and take forward the delivery of the train services on HS2<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

There are a number of key interfaces between the delivery of HS2<\/abbr> and the ICWC<\/abbr> rail franchise and I believe there are significant benefits in bringing the 2 projects closer together to ensure the best outcomes for passengers both before and after the start of the HS2<\/abbr> services.<\/p>\n

Benefits of the partnership proposition include:<\/p>\n