Menu
05/03/2009
Delivery Of New Trains To Be Speeded Up By New Company
Passengers on some of the country's busiest rail lines could see improvements arrive more quickly after Transport Minister Andrew Adonis announced that his Department had set up a new company to oversee the procurement of 202 new diesel train carriages.
The company, Diesel Trains Limited, has been set up as part of the Chancellor's pre-budget review, announced in November 2008, which will see an extra £1bn dedicated to accelerating major transport projects.
This includes around £300m for an additional 202 train carriages which are due to relieve overcrowding in the Thames Valley, around Bristol and on longer distances in northern England. The trains are set to enter service by 2012 subject to negotiations with train operators First Great Western, Trans-Pennine Express and Northern Rail.
The Transport Minister said: "This is the most effective way to buy new trains quickly and for the benefit of passengers.
"This new company is an illustration of the Government's commitment to reducing crowding for rail passengers.
"This is a milestone in the delivery of new carriages which will help to increase rail capacity on some of our busiest routes. I'm delighted we have reached such an important stage and that passengers will see the benefits within a relatively short period of time."
In letters to industry partners the DfT makes clear that it does not intend to be a long-term owner of trains and the new company is not intended to compete with other rolling stock leasing companies.
To ensure this is the case the Department will invite the market to bid either for the company or for the assets and related contracts within it, and to take on the ownership and leasing of the trains.
(JM/BMcC)
The company, Diesel Trains Limited, has been set up as part of the Chancellor's pre-budget review, announced in November 2008, which will see an extra £1bn dedicated to accelerating major transport projects.
This includes around £300m for an additional 202 train carriages which are due to relieve overcrowding in the Thames Valley, around Bristol and on longer distances in northern England. The trains are set to enter service by 2012 subject to negotiations with train operators First Great Western, Trans-Pennine Express and Northern Rail.
The Transport Minister said: "This is the most effective way to buy new trains quickly and for the benefit of passengers.
"This new company is an illustration of the Government's commitment to reducing crowding for rail passengers.
"This is a milestone in the delivery of new carriages which will help to increase rail capacity on some of our busiest routes. I'm delighted we have reached such an important stage and that passengers will see the benefits within a relatively short period of time."
In letters to industry partners the DfT makes clear that it does not intend to be a long-term owner of trains and the new company is not intended to compete with other rolling stock leasing companies.
To ensure this is the case the Department will invite the market to bid either for the company or for the assets and related contracts within it, and to take on the ownership and leasing of the trains.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2011
Green Light For New Trains Gives Boost
Scotland, Wales, northern and south west England are to get a fleet of new trains and more reliable rail links to London, creating thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and improving services for passengers, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said. He gave the go-ahead for the £4.
Green Light For New Trains Gives Boost
Scotland, Wales, northern and south west England are to get a fleet of new trains and more reliable rail links to London, creating thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and improving services for passengers, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said. He gave the go-ahead for the £4.
01 October 2003
Ladbrooke Grove train crash case to go ahead
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has begun its prosecution of Thames Trains Limited for alleged breaches of health and safety law in connection with the Ladbroke Grove rail collision. HSE made public its intention to prosecute both Thames Trains Limited and Railtrack PLC (now Network Rail) in March 2002.
Ladbrooke Grove train crash case to go ahead
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has begun its prosecution of Thames Trains Limited for alleged breaches of health and safety law in connection with the Ladbroke Grove rail collision. HSE made public its intention to prosecute both Thames Trains Limited and Railtrack PLC (now Network Rail) in March 2002.
28 August 2012
Virgin Trains To Continue Court Proceedings
Virgin Trains Limited will commence Court proceedings in respect of West Coast Main Line franchise award. The firm said in a statement: "Virgin Trains Limited (VTL) has today commenced Court proceedings in respect of the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup.
Virgin Trains To Continue Court Proceedings
Virgin Trains Limited will commence Court proceedings in respect of West Coast Main Line franchise award. The firm said in a statement: "Virgin Trains Limited (VTL) has today commenced Court proceedings in respect of the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup.
28 November 2007
Rail Price Rises Defended
Commuters are facing a New Year price increase that will see rail fares rise by an average of nearly 5%. However, some commuters in the South East are being forced to pay 14.
Rail Price Rises Defended
Commuters are facing a New Year price increase that will see rail fares rise by an average of nearly 5%. However, some commuters in the South East are being forced to pay 14.
13 January 2009
Ministers Protect Ticket Office Hours
Plans by South West Trains to reduce the opening hours of ticket offices have in large part been rejected by Ministers following public consultation. The rail company had wanted to make radical cuts in its ticket office opening hours at 114 stations.
Ministers Protect Ticket Office Hours
Plans by South West Trains to reduce the opening hours of ticket offices have in large part been rejected by Ministers following public consultation. The rail company had wanted to make radical cuts in its ticket office opening hours at 114 stations.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
