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Stagecoach retains SWT

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:34 am
by arabiandisco
and it only cost them £1.2bn

http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/medi ... 006-09-22/

No mention of new trains, but I can't see how they'll get 10 car windsor trains without them. No mention either of the future for 458s or 442s.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:48 am
by trains2
Excellent news, I'm very glad they won it again.

Rich

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:59 am
by BR7MT
Excellent news :)

SWT have to one of the best TOCs around.

Regards,

Dan

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:06 am
by arabiandisco
Well as a cynic, I'm looking forward to seeing how they propose to meet the premium payments. But that would have been the case regardless of who won.

And if the lines out of Waterloo can't be profitable, there's really no hope for the rest of the network!

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:40 am
by AlistairW
GOOD! Although would of been a interesting to see how the Japanese consortium would of handled the problems we face. But Stagecoach was my fav.

No doubt all the staff and passengers letting out a sigh of relief caused a gale this morning...
:wink:

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:24 pm
by Christopher125
A new franchise... As a cynical islander well there goes another excuse for putting off what to do about Island Line. Im sure they'll come up with some more.... theres only so many 20mph restrictions they can put in before the complaints get so vocal they *have* to do something.

You lucky people with those desiros. Tisnt fair :(

Chris 8)

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:50 pm
by enotayokel
Maybe there will be a follow on order to the new tube stock?

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:02 pm
by AlistairW
Its not just the stock though its the whole network thats in dire need of work and the case for investment just isn't there. If there was the money it'd be nice to see it upgraded to say Wireless trams and extending the line over the route it used to follow.

But with such a low number of passengers such high investment would be better off put elsewhere. (Sorry Christopher).

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:14 pm
by arabiandisco
Stagecoach wrote:Island Line
Investment to ensure the continued viability of the existing Island Line rolling stock and infrastructure.
We will roll out many of the initiatives proposed for the mainland part of the business, including smart cards. However, we will also maintain the important local focus of the service, making the Island-based General Manager responsible for all Island Line matters.
We will work with DfT to place Island Line on a firm footing as a Community Rail Partnership.
Make of that what you will.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:11 pm
by Christopher125
Hmmm 'continued viability' - err, the status quo (which Island Line said could not continue beyond the end of the original franchise, ie 2003) will go on it seems. Seeing as the ride is just more atrocious everytime i travel on it, honestly its worse than the busses, the money just keeping it working safely will be so large they may as well go the whole hog and do a complete renewal of the line. They wont of course, but thats as much the DfT and IWC's fault.

Arghh

Chris 8)

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:03 pm
by ccsdc
That is excellent news. As my local TOC for the last 12 years I think that SWT have done OK. The early years were difficult running with a fleet that was 90% clapped out slammers, but they have turned the corner now and I for one look forward to taking train journeys now with SWT.

Well done SWT - heres to the next 10 years!!

Dave

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:32 pm
by AlistairW
Yes, and SWT introduced the first major timetable change in the region for something like 50 years!

Island Line - If anything it will become a guided bus way. :(

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:50 pm
by salopiangrowler
Island line will get buses i think.

It'd be too expensive to Completely renew the structure. I mean for instance the Permanant Way trains are non exsistant over there and track, Equipment, Machinery would have to use the ferry and road's to get to the site's.

Road Transportation is the only way forward with the island line.

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:40 am
by Christopher125
salopiangrowler wrote:Island line will get buses i think.

It'd be too expensive to Completely renew the structure. I mean for instance the Permanant Way trains are non exsistant over there and track, Equipment, Machinery would have to use the ferry and road's to get to the site's.

Road Transportation is the only way forward with the island line.
Not true, IoWSR ballast hoppers and their 03 have already been used on Island Line, and if neccesary the two lines could be linked up (most if not all pw equipment has gone from Ryde to Havenstreet when sold). Seeing as busses could not use the trackbed, far too narrow in places and would require a horrific amount of changes, and the main road is too busy they would have to just close the line = political suicide. It really is a stalemate, possibly till it gets shut down for safety.

Chris 8)

Re: Stagecoach retains SWT

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:21 pm
by MrKeelar
arabiandisco wrote:and it only cost them £1.2bn

http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/medi ... 006-09-22/

No mention of new trains, but I can't see how they'll get 10 car windsor trains without them. No mention either of the future for 458s or 442s.
Piggies have been deep-cleaned and repainted, so they'll be around for a while yet.

All 28 remaining 458s are part of the franchise agreement. They're staying for good.