"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
...
Surprised no one has picked this up but the DfT have issued a press
release about the key points of the South Central franchise
specification.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fu...partment=False


A little more detail he

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/...riefingdoc.pdf

Paul S

On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 19:57:13 -0000, "Paul Scott"
wrote:


"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
.. .
Surprised no one has picked this up but the DfT have issued a press
release about the key points of the South Central franchise
specification.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fu...partment=False


A little more detail he

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/...riefingdoc.pdf

And interesting to note, amongst the extras section, the comment that
bidders should assume moderation of competition restrictions on boarding
/ alighting at Wembley Central no longer apply post April 2012. When
does the new West Coast franchise begin?
--
Paul C

On 3 Nov, 21:29, Paul Corfield wrote:

On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 19:57:13 -0000, "Paul Scott"
wrote:

(snip)

A little more detail he

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/...franchise/stak...

And interesting to note, amongst the extras section, the comment that
bidders should assume moderation of competition restrictions on boarding
/ alighting at Wembley Central no longer apply post April 2012. *When
does the new West Coast franchise begin?


Most interesting. Must admit the moderation of competition angle had
never even crossed my mind when considering the Southern service that
goes through Wembley Central and currently stops there at peak times
only.

Is the present limited service thus a direct result of the West Coast/
Virgin MOC restrictions then?

On 3 Nov, 21:29, Paul Corfield wrote:
And interesting to note, amongst the extras section, the comment that
bidders should assume moderation of competition restrictions on boarding
/ alighting at Wembley Central no longer apply post April 2012. *When
does the new West Coast franchise begin?
Is that a rhetorical question? ;-)

It does make sense though - while there's a need to protect return on
investment, the current MoC rules on the West Coast do seem too stern,
especially in relation to the W&S and Chiltern services between the
West Midlands and London and with these Southern issues.

wrote

It does make sense though - while there's a need to protect return on
investment, the current MoC rules on the West Coast do seem too stern,
especially in relation to the W&S and Chiltern services between the
West Midlands and London and with these Southern issues.

It is difficult to understand how preventing Southern carrying passengers
between Wembley Central and Watford Junction or Milton Keynes protects VWC
revenues, especially as the new VWC timetable will have very few trains
which stop at both Watford jn and Milton Keynes. I suppose a few passengers
might travel on a shorter cheaper route, rather than doubling back from
Euston. Passengers travelling between Milton Keynes and Wembley Central will
find it completely bizarre if there are through trains, but they are not
allowed to use them.

Peter

On 3 Nov, 23:22, "Peter Masson" wrote:
wrote

It does make sense though - while there's a need to protect return on
investment, the current MoC rules on the West Coast do seem too stern,
especially in relation to the W&S and Chiltern services between the
West Midlands and London and with these Southern issues.

It is difficult to understand how preventing Southern carrying passengers
between Wembley Central and Watford Junction or Milton Keynes protects VWC
revenues, especially as the new VWC timetable will have very few trains
which stop at both Watford jn and Milton Keynes. I suppose a few passengers
might travel on a shorter cheaper route, rather than doubling back from
Euston. Passengers travelling between Milton Keynes and Wembley Central will
find it completely bizarre if there are through trains, but they are not
allowed to use them.
Just to make it clear: I was saying that it makes sense to remove the
restrictions. Virgin and the DfT obviously don't want someone coming
along with an hourly London to Manchester non-stop service, but to
place any restrictions on a semi-fast service linking Milton Keynes
and Wembley is nonsense.

wrote in message
...

Just to make it clear: I was saying that it makes sense to remove the
restrictions. Virgin and the DfT obviously don't want someone coming
along with an hourly London to Manchester non-stop service, but to
place any restrictions on a semi-fast service linking Milton Keynes
and Wembley is nonsense.

The list of MOC restrictions is at the back (schedule 10) of the West Coast
Trains Ltd track access contract, and covers an amazing number of route
permutations. Paddington, Marylebone, St Pancras, Kensington, and even
Waterloo are all covered just for any eventuality.

It isn't an easy read, but here's the link anyway (large pdf 400+ pages):

http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pd...WC_TAA_red.pdf

Paul S