Thursday 23 December 2010

National Express Retains C2C Franchise

National Express has retained the right to run the C2C franchise until May 2013.  The C2C franchise runs services out of Fenchurch Street to Tilbury, Southend and Shoeburyness and is regarded as one of the best run in the country, unlike its East Anglian cousin.

Friday 10 December 2010

New Timetable - Reminder

A reminder that the new timetable comes into force on Sunday.  All Great Eastern mainline services are affected so it is advised that passengers familiarise themselves with the changes relevant to them.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Season Ticket Calculator

A useful tool to work out the price of your next season ticket by clicking here.

(You may wish to sit down before using this)

Sudbury Branch Line Fares Easements

The new user group representing the Sudbury branch line has managed to secure the following easements from NXEA to the new timetable as follows:

"FARES EASEMENTS IN NEW TIMETABLE FOR NETWORK CARD HOLDERS

NXEA HAVE AGREED THAT FROM 13TH DECEMBER, THE 10am RESTRICTION ON NETWORK CARDS WILL BE RELAXED FOR BRANCH PASSENGERS.

NETWORK CARD REDUCTIONS WILL BE VALID ON THE 08.55 SERVICE FROM SUDBURY (inc BURES & CHAPPEL) + CONNECTIONS WEEKDAYS

SUBJECT TO USUAL MINIMUM FARE RULES

NETWORK CARDS REMAIN VALID AT ANYTIME WEEKENDS AND BANK HOLIDAYS

EVENING PEAK RELAXATION FOR SUDBURY BRANCH PASSENGERS

FROM 13th DECEMBER, PASSENGERS FOR SUDBURY, BURES & CHAPPEL HOLDING OFF PEAK TICKETS CAN TRAVEL ON THE 18.12 SERVICE FROM LONDON (18.20 STRATFORD).

THE 17.08 FROM LONDON REMAINS A PEAK TRAIN
"

Follow the Sudbury user group on Twitter at @thesudburyline

Monday 6 December 2010

NXEA To Seek To Retain Franchise

In an article in the Financial Times it is reported that National Express (NX) will not be bidding for the big inter city franchises, including the lucrative West Coast Mainline franchise, as they come up for renewal in the next couple years.  NX will be concentrating however on retaining their last two remaining franchises - NXEA and C2C.

A source is quoted as saying "We’re not interested in intercity franchises; we need to prove ourselves with C2C and East Anglia and use them to win back political confidence”

National Express is trying to restore its reputation following its decision to relinquish the contract to run the London to Edinburgh rail service last year.

It is likely that NX will have to compete to keep its franchises as the government is thought to be putting the current NXEA franchise on a short term contract as a test case for the proposed new way of franchising. Other possible changes to perhaps be tested by the government include longer, 15-20 year franchises to encourage investment in stations and new trains, and a restructuring of the revenue sharing between train operators and the government. The review, which has been welcomed by the industry, is an attempt to shore up the rail franchise system, under fire since the East Coast main line was temporarily renationalised last November following NX handing it back.