Abellio wins
Norwich-Liverpool split at Nottingham and new bi-mode trains as Abellio wins East Midlands Railway franchise.
ABELLIO will replace Stagecoach as operator of the East Midlands franchise from August 18.
The Dutch state operator was announced as the winning bidder from three shortlisted companies, although it later emerged that rivals Stagecoach and Arriva were both disqualified from the running (see Network News, pages 6-9).
The new franchise, to be known as East Midlands Railway (EMR), will deliver new bi-mode trains, remove the current High Speed Train fleet, and introduce new routes including Norwich-Derby.
It has also been confirmed that the Norwich-Liverpool Lime Street route will be split at Nottingham, with the northern section transferring to another operator.
RAIL sources suggest that could be TransPennine Express, and although the Department for Transport claims the move will happen “soon”, it is expected to take place in 2021.
As part of the EMR operations, DfT announced a commitment to trials of hydrogen fuel cell trains on the Midland Main Line, and zerocarbon station pilots. RAIL sources highlighted that (so far) hydrogen trains do not have authority in the UK to operate through tunnels, due to safety concerns, although this is likely to be addressed in the near future.
DfT claims there will be an 80% increase in the number of morning peak seats into Nottingham, Lincoln and St Pancras International. Long-distance journeys will speed up, while a new express service from Corby to St Pancras will be introduced, although concerns have been raised regarding service provision for Wellingborough, where passengers will have to change more than once to reach Derby and Sheffield.
“Improving the experience for passengers is at the heart of this new franchise. Abellio will deliver
new trains, upgraded ticketing systems and improvements to stations,” said Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling.
“Through zero-carbon pilot schemes, trialling hydrogen fuel cell trains and delivering more seats on modern, spacious trains, the new franchise will also play a major role in building a railway fit for the future.”
Abellio UK Managing Director Dominic Booth said: “Abellio will invest £600 million in improvements to trains and stations, maximising the effect of the Government’s £1.5 billion upgrade of the Midland Main Line, to make journeys easier, more reliable and comfortable for our passengers.”
He added: “Closer collaboration between East Midlands Railway and Network Rail will ensure that track and train are aligned to deliver vital enhancements to infrastructure and to put the interests of passengers first.”