HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : SRA Prepares for Future Wales, Wessex and Thameslink Franchises [February 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 8 February 2001.

The SRA has reached agreement with National Express Group plc (NEG) to extend the Cardiff Railway, Wales and West, and the Great Northern services in the West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) franchises, from the current termination date of 31 March 2001 to 30 April 2004.  This will ensure continuation of services until they can be transferred to the new Wales and Borders, Wessex and Thameslink franchises which are being negotiated under the SRA’s franchise replacement programme. The agreement contains provision for the existing franchises to be terminated when the new ones come on stream.

Under the deal, NEG has undertaken to restructure its operations in preparation for the new franchises.  It will combine the Welsh services of Wales and West with Cardiff Railway services to form the core of the new Wales and Borders; establish the remaining Wales and West services as the basis of Wessex; and prepare WAGN’s Great Northern services (from Kings Cross and Moorgate) for transfer to the Thameslink franchise.

NEG has also agreed to reorganise its Central Trains services in preparation for transfer of the mid Wales services to Wales and Borders at a time of SRA’s choosing.

Over the remaining tenure periods, NEG has committed to maintain services at levels in the 2000-01 timetable and has adopted improved customer service commitments. Operating subsidies have been set at levels intended to reflect the costs, responsibilities and risks involved in providing the services and carrying out the restructuring process.