Wales franchise

KeolisAmey joint venture awarded 15-year Wales & Borders franchise to start from October 14.

THE Welsh Government has awarded the Wales & Borders and South Wales Metro franchise to the KeolisAmey joint venture.

At award, two companies were left in the competition (the runner-up was MTR), after a joint venture of Abellio and Carillion withdrew following the latter’s collapse.

The announcement was made on May 23. The Welsh Government says it will not comment in detail on the franchise until a statutory ‘standstill’ period of ten days has elapsed. After this, the formal award will be made.

The contract will run from June 4 2018 to October 14 2033, with operations transferring from existing operator Arriva on October 14 this year. RAIL understands that plans regarding new trains will likely include tram-trains as well as other new-build fleets, and possibly cascades. These details are to be confirmed by the new operator once it takes over.

“Passengers in Wales and the borders will be pleased to hear that a decision has been made, and will now look forward to promised improvements,” said Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith.

“We know that their priorities include value for money and the ability to get a seat, as well as more reliable services. Passengers understand that change can take time and mean some disruption, but will expect to be kept well-informed and given clear timescales for improvements.”

However, the RMT union criticised the decision to continue private operation, with General Secretary Mick Cash saying: “The fact that rail privatisation is being enforced on the people of Wales by Whitehall is even more galling when the Tories have been forced to nationalise East Coast and the Westminster Cross Party Public Accounts Committee have said the rail franchising model is broken.

“However, the RMT welcomes the fact that despite these constraints, the Welsh Government has committed to keep a guard on every train alongside other commitments to work with RMT to protect jobs and conditions of rail workers in Wales.” A pair of Arriva Trains Wales Class 143s stand at Cardiff Central on March 7. KeolisAmey will take over running the Wales & Borders franchise from October 14, with the South Wales Metro set to feature prominently in the plans for the new franchise that will last until 2033.