First West Coast

[First Class]

RE: First West Coast

(11/08/2012 19:09)mbonwick Wrote:  Pendos and Voyagers are a franchise requirement - they're staying like it or not.

They aren't, actually, only until 2016/2022. Additionally, although they have to lease them until those dates, they can still deploy additional non 221/390 stock to their services.

The text rather simply states:

"Network Rail believes that vehicles capable of 125mph EPS running are necessary to meet growth and to maximise the fast line capacity of the route..."

However, a Section 54 agreement applies:

Class 390 - expires 2022
Class 221 - expires 2016

"If following the expiry of the section 54 commitments bidders consider it appropriate to replace all or part of either the Pendolino or Voyager rolling stock fleets, the Department expects that at least the equivalent number of standard class seats will be provided by any replacement fleet procured...."

Section 54 agreement is a requirement that franchise bidders lease stock subject to a Section 54 undertaking given by DfT to the relevant ROSCO on the same terms as those on which the stock was previously leased by the outgoing franchisee.

On top of that, there is absolutely nothing stopping First from taking the HSTs that they outright own, and putting them into service with the new franchise, so long as they are additional capacity, and meet any Network Rail timetable requirements. A First HST, for example could replace the "Pretendolino".