Forum | Merseyside Dennis Dart Website

First and Trenitalia have been awarded the new West Coast franchise.

The main headlines are:
1. Additional hourly Liverpool to London service with call at South Parkway, presumably not calling at Runcorn (due to no mention of additional services for Runcorn.
2. Brand new EMUs and bi-modes to replace Voyagers and for additional Liverpool service.
3. Pendolinos to be refurbished with all seats replaced.

They'll also take on new HS2 services on a managament contract.

First have also announced this is the last UK franchise they will be submitting a bid for, meaning they won't bid for the replacement GWR franchise after the latest direct award ends.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/west-...l-for-rail

Note the extra Liverpool service is shown as subject to regulatory approval and will serve South Parkway.
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Be interested to see if tilting bi-modes are available.
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Several references to free wifi at stations that already have it.

I see First in conjunction with another bidder ended up with this franchise , remember First won the last round franchise round only for the Dft to make a pigs ear of it.

(15/08/2019 11:04)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]I see First in conjunction with another bidder ended up with this franchise , remember First won the last round franchise round only for the Dft to make a pigs ear of it.

Indeed.

If the franchise ends up ordering non-tilting CAF stock as Voyager replacement and getting line speed improvements for non-tilting stock then the winning bid is very similar to the one that resulted in Justine Greening losing her role as SoS for Transport.

(16/08/2019 18:31)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Indeed.

If the franchise ends up ordering non-tilting CAF stock as Voyager replacement and getting line speed improvements for non-tilting stock then the winning bid is very similar to the one that resulted in Justine Greening losing her role as SoS for Transport.

Didnt Justine Greening lose her position also because she wouldnt back the building of a third runway at Heathrow , anything to do with the Dft recently has been a poisoned chalice

https://news.sky.com/story/goodbye-virgi...d-11871640

New livery and name (Avanti West Coast) has been announced for the franchise

(27/11/2019 21:10)buses7675 Wrote: [ -> ]https://news.sky.com/story/goodbye-virgi...d-11871640

New livery and name (Avanti West Coast) has been announced for the franchise

A very smart livery IMO

(27/11/2019 21:36)Y474 KNF Wrote: [ -> ]A very smart livery IMO

Reminds me of the SWT livery,not impressed,Grey is a dull colour

Does anyone know if they are going to be continuing with the cheaper single/return fares that Virgin Trains has been doing?

For example an off peak Stockport to Macclesfield return for Virgin-only is £6.20 but for all (Northern and Cross Country as well) is £7.80.

(27/11/2019 21:10)buses7675 Wrote: [ -> ]https://news.sky.com/story/goodbye-virgi...d-11871640

New livery and name (Avanti West Coast) has been announced for the franchise

Today's Guardian mentions the Pendolinos will be refurbished and withdrawn in 2022. Clearly an error methinks.