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Extra trains and fewer delays promised on east coast main line
Gatwick and Stansted Express operator National Express has won the £1.4 billion UK east coast rail franchise from GNER.
It beat off competition for the seven-year contract from Virgin/Stagecoach, FirstGroup and Arriva.
The agreement from December 9 includes provision for up to 25 extra train services from 2010 and up to 40 more carriages. New, faster trains have been promised between London and Lincoln and London and York in addition to more trains between the capital and Edinburgh.
But the Department for Transport said the new operator “may wish” to raise unregulated fares by an average of 2.1% above inflation each year over the course of the contract. The Government will continue to limit annual rises of unregulated fares which include season tickets and saver fares.
National Express said it was confident of growing the business and increasing passenger numbers on the routes from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh and Aberdeen via Peterborough, Leeds, York and Newcastle.
It has promised faster journey times, with London-Leeds in one hour 45 minutes, London-Leeds in two hours and London-Edinburgh in around four hours 20 minutes.
The deal includes £7.4 million to upgrade to stations. Up to 2,000 more car parking spaces, free Wi Fi access in standard class carriages and full dining services to be retained on 87 weekday trains.
A simpler website will highlight the cheapest tickets available and expected seat availability on each train.
Rail minister Tom Harris said: “We want to grow and develop our rail network. In our White Paper we set out plans to deliver increased capacity, better performance and improved connections between key towns and cities. Franchise awards are already delivering these benefits.
“Passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line will see similar enhancements. There is provision in this contract for extra services and fewer delays.”
He said National Express subsidiary NXEC Trains would also invest in stations and on board services.
by Phil Davies
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