Arriva Wins Cross-Country Franchise

The Department for Transport (DfT) today announced that Arriva plc has been awarded the contract to run the New Cross Country rail franchise.

It combines the majority of the existing Cross Country franchise services currently operated by Virgin Cross Country and the Nottingham - Cardiff and Birmingham - Stansted Airport services currently operated by Central Trains.

The new franchise will begin on 11th November 2007 and end on 1st April 2016. DfT has the right to terminate the franchise after six years if the operator fails to meet agreed performance targets. Over the life of the franchise (eight years and four months) DfT will pay a subsidy of £1.056 bn (NPV) to Arriva.

The contract will deliver increased capacity, better performance and improved customer services. Passengers will benefit from:

40 extra train carriages for operation on long distance services, using High Speed Trains (HSTs), refurbished to the standard of the existing Voyager Trains. This, together with internal changes to the current fleet of Voyager trains, will provide nearly 3,000 more seats each day on the busiest routes at the busiest times. Internal changes on the Voyager trains will also provide for a 20-25% increase in luggage storage space; Increased staff visibility with the busiest long distance services having at least three members of staff passing through the train; A new web-based ticketing system which will be introduced from December 2009; Refurbished Class 170 units on Birmingham - Stansted and Cardiff - Nottingham services including extra seats, and first class on all trains; Help and advice for passengers who need to change trains. The Government will continue to limit annual rises of regulated fares in line with national policy, which is currently RPI+1%.

As with all franchises, unregulated fares will be the responsibility of the operator. Arriva have indicated that they may wish to raise unregulated fares by an average of 3.4% above inflation each year.

Passengers will benefit from new arrangements to be compensated for delays and poor performance.

==ENDS===

Sheffield Cycle Campaign says: Whilst many will be pleased to see the back of Virgin XC, Arriva will have to do a lot better than their disastrous performance as Arriva Trains Northern, and their lacklustre performance in Wales. Today's passenger demands trains that run on time and are cleaned occasionally, toilets that work and of course space for bikes. Also when they say, "High Speed Trains (HSTs), refurbished to the standard of the existing Voyager Trains.", many would see that as a downgrading.

Sheffield Cycle Campaign will work with our partners to try to ensure that cyclists rights are not affected.

==posted by Simon.