Rail franchise bids in
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Railtrack - run by Sir Bob Horton, chairman (left), and John Edmonds, the chief executive - and the Government breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when another crucial step in rail privatisation was passed with the closing of bids for the first three passenger franchises, writes Russell Hotten.
The Government is conducting a Railtrack roadshow among city institutions to drum up support for next year's privatisation. The prospect of insufficient bidders coming forward yesterday for the franchises would have caused a big embarrassment.
Although the Government refused to disclose how many bidders had registered, it is understood that several potential buyers have come forward for each franchise. The first three lines up for grabs are the Great Western, South West Trains and the London-Tilbury-Southend Line, which together represent annual revenue of pounds 430m per year, or about 20 per cent of British Rail's total.
One of the bidders for Great Western is a management and employee buyout led by the line's managing director, Brian Scott.
He said his bid focused on "substantial customer service improvements" and there would be an announcement next week about "important guarantees on service improvements and details of innovative product developments".
Sea Containers, the shipping and hotels group, said it had entered two bids, one for Great Western Trains and another joint bid for Great Western and South West together.
Christopher Garnett, the executive handling SeaCon's bidding, said the tender offer was for one seven-year franchise and one "longer" proposal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments