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Franchising Director welcomes new trains deal for Gatwick Express
date 26 January 1998 source OPRAF type Press release
Franchising Director John O'Brien today welcomed the announcement by National Express Group (NEG) that the order for a completely new fleet of rolling stock for its Gatwick Express franchise had been signed. He also welcomed the associated package of benefits, which extends the good news to passengers on a number of NEG's other franchises, as well as to taxpayers.
The agreement is a good example of the Franchising Director's new objectives in practice. Where non-compliance involves a material adverse effect on passengers or taxpayers these require him to ensure that the situation is remedied, as well as securing additional benefits as compensation. In recognition of the revised date for the delivery of the new rolling stock, NEG has offered, and the Franchising Director has agreed, the package of benefits announced by NEG.
OPRAF originally awarded a 15 year franchise to NEG on condition that it introduced a completely new fleet of rolling stock on the route, otherwise the franchise would revert to seven years. Today's agreement has enabled the Franchising Director to confirm the franchise at 15years.
