JR East on UK's West Midlands franchise shortlist

[Densha]

East Japan Railway on West Midlands franchise shortlist

 

Three bidders have been shortlisted for the next West Midlands passenger franchise, the Department for Transport announced on April 7. DfT is expected to issue the invitation to tender in July, with bids to be submitted in November. It expects to award the contract in June 2017, ready for the new franchise to start in October 2017.

 

The shortlisted bidders are:

• London & West Midlands Railway Ltd, a bid vehicle formed by the Govia joint venture of Keolis (35%) and Go-Ahead Group (65%) which has operated the current franchise since 2007 under the London Midland brand;
• West Midlands Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Abellio Transport Group Ltd business of Dutch national passenger operator NS, with East Japan Railway and Mitsui Corp as minority partners;
• MTR Corp (West Midlands) Ltd, formed by Hong Kong MTR subsidiary MTR Corp (UK) Ltd.

 

Source: http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/east-japan-railway-on-west-midlands-franchise-shortlist.html

 

As a Dutchman, JR East working together with NS adds to another level of interest.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Densha

[Kabutoni]

As a Dutchman, JR East working together with NS adds to another level of interest.

 

Not so surprising I think: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/7143-the-japanisation-of-the-dutch-railways/ ;) Also, Mitsui. That's some serious power backing up that alliance.

[railsquid]

Hah, that's my old stomping ground.

 

But gawd, what a way to run a railway...

[bikkuri bahn]

Interesting development.  It looks to be a challenging franchise to operate, great diversity of services but also the second most heavily subsidized franchise in the nation.

http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2016/west-midlands-franchise-master/

[westfalen]

I wonder if they'd be interested in taking over Queensland Rail?  If they did would my 25 years service free pass be valid on JR? Hmmm.