ARRIVA, the train operator that was effectively sacked from Merseyside’s commuter rail network, has made a remarkable comeback to win the Wales and Border franchise.
The Strategic Rail Authority said yesterday that Arriva, the North East-based operator, which was humiliatingly stripped of the Mersey franchise last October, had won a keenly fought battle to land a 15-year franchise to operate trains in Wales.
Arriva will take over the franchise from the end of this year and is charged with encouraging more people to use the service, which covers a large rural area. The contract is subject to five yearly performance reviews.
The enlarged franchise covers an area that was once run by three separate operating companies, but a decision has been taken to combine the routes in line with the strategy that Richard Bowker, executive chairman of the SRA, is spreading across the UK.
Arriva has fought off stiff competition from the incumbent operator, National Express; Serco and Ned Railways; and Connex in partnership with GB Railways.
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National Express said yesterday it was disappointed at losing the franchise after submitting a “very robust” bid. “We are disappointed that the SRA did not agree with us, but at the end of the day our priority is to have viable train operating businesses.”
Industry insiders are concerned that there could be pressure on the new Wales and Border operator to reduce services after bidders were pressed to prepare strategies for a subsidy cut.
The SRA said yesterday that under the franchise Arriva will introduce seven new trains from December 2004 to replace current rolling stock. It will also bring in new integrated train/bus tickets for through services.
Mr Bowker said: “The specification of the new franchise has been designed to encourage more people to use rail and places a strong emphasis on local accountability and management.”