This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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First Group preferred bidder for Scotrail
11/06/2004
First Group has been selected as the preferred bidder
for the new Scottish passenger rail franchise, which will
begin later this year.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said that higher
standards of service for passengers year after year, on an
expanding rail network, will be delivered through the next
ScotRail franchise.
Final negotiations to conclude the details of the new
contract are expected to be completed in the next few
weeks.
As well as safeguarding all of Scotland's existing rail
services, the new franchise will bring in a number of
improvements. These include:
- Improved punctuality and reliability of
services
- Improved passenger safety and comfort, including
higher standards of cleanliness, security and travel
information
- Plans to reduce overcrowding so that no-one should
have to wait more than ten minutes for a seat
- Tougher penalties for poor performance
The franchise will also allow extra services to be added
as and when necessary at a reasonable cost to help deliver
the Executive's ambitious plans for the Scottish
network.
Nicol Stephen said:
"This has been a hard-fought and challenging competition
with each bid being subject to rigorous scrutiny. The
decision to appoint First Group as the preferred bidder
demonstrates our commitment to providing the best deal for
passengers and the Scottish economy. Their bid offered the
highest quality overall and the best value for money.
"Services which are more reliable, clean and comfortable
are key to encouraging more people to choose to travel by
train. Rail travel reduces congestion and protects the
environment.
"We want immediate improvements for rail passengers in
Scotland but also new services which get better year after
year. The new franchise introduces more demanding
performance targets year on year, to ensure continuous
improvement over the life of the contract.
"We have already invested in 29 new trains, improved
station security and better travel information. Passenger
numbers are improving. Along with the Strategic Rail
Authority we have also invested in longer platforms across
the country to reduce overcrowding and accommodate the new
trains. We expect First Group to build on this solid
starting point, and make real improvements to the quality
of rail services in all parts of Scotland.
"We have worked very closely with the SRA and SPT in
this process and I would like to thank them for their
dedicated efforts in securing this deal for Scotland's rail
network."
The Scottish franchise is one of the largest in the UK
with more than 3000 kilometres of track, 650,000 train
journeys a year and more than 300 stations to run.
The three companies bidding for the franchise are Arriva
Trains Ltd, FirstGroup plc and National Express Group plc.
The SRA formally announced the preferred bidder to the
Stock Exchange earlier this morning.
Scottish Ministers specify (by means of directions and
guidance) and fund the ScotRail franchise. The Strategic
Rail Authority acts as the procurement agent for the new
rail franchise on the Scottish Executive's behalf and is a
co-signatory to it with Strathclyde Passenger Transport
(SPT) and the train operator. There has been close working
between Executive officials, SPT and the SRA throughout the
refranchising process.
The current franchise was due to end on March 31 2004
but the SRA extended the franchise by six months to allow a
smooth handover. The new franchise will begin in October
2004, and will run for seven years with a possible
extension for an extra three.