This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Sarah Boyack issues advice on east coast inter-city rail services
26/06/2000
A vision for one of Scotland's vital rail links with England was issued today by Sarah Boyack, Minister for Transport and the Environment.
In advice presented to the shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA), the Minister spelt out her aspirations for improving the level and quality of passenger rail services supplied by the East Coast Mainline franchise.
The SSRA is replacing the franchise currently operated by Great North Eastern Railways (GNER) and the Minister's advice will play an important part in its consideration of rival bids.
Commenting on the advice Sarah Boyack said:
"Franchise replacement gives us a real opportunity to secure major gains for passengers using the East Coast Mainline. I have made it very clear to the sSRA that passengers using this service between Scotland and England should benefit from faster, more comfortable and more frequent trains.
"Transport policy has moved on dramatically since the franchise was first let in 1996. More people are now travelling on the railways than at any time in the last fifty years. Increasing demand and passenger expectations mean that any franchise operator must be prepared to invest in real improvements to services.
"Franchise replacement gives us the real chance to shape the railways for at least the next twenty years. I want to make best use of that chance to the benefit of rail passengers in Scotland. My advice to the SSRA on the East Coast Mainline is the first opportunity to do this. It is by no means
the last. The Scottish franchise currently operated by ScotRail will be up for replacement within the next year. I look forward to that chance to map out the priorities for 95 per cent of Scotland's passenger rail services."
BACKGROUND
1.The ECML replacement
The process for replacing the ECML franchise began on 24 November last year. Two companies are bidding for the franchise, GNER (the present operator) and Virgin Trains.
The replacement has reached an important stage. GNER and Virgin Trains will be submitting best and final offers today. The sSRA will then evaluate the offers and decide on a preferred bidder. It is hoped that the new franchise agreement will come into effect some time next year.
2. Contents of the Minister's Advice
The advice includes the following:
- a set of general proposals regarding the overall level and type of service the Scottish Executive expects for Scotland on the ECML.
- the Scottish Executive's expectation that the ECML operator should operate in Scotland in ways which complement (as far as is possible within a competitive market) local and regional rail services.
- how the Scottish Executive expects the ECML franchise to operate within the environment of the Scottish integrated transport policy.
News Release: SE1873/2000
26 Jun 2000