First West Coast

[buses7675 (Website Founder)]

RE: First West Coast

(15/08/2012 16:07)507009 Wrote:  I'm sure Branson will stick to his word, as save for a major overhaul of the franchise system, there seems no point in bidding for franchises where you can perform impressively and still be snubbed when the renewal comes.

I think that hits the nail on the head really, as the franchise seems to be have been awarded purely on finances rather than service quality based on previous experience of operators. The same can sometimes be said with local bus contracts were operators change even if the existing operator is doing a very good job purely as a different one is very slightly cheaper.

Virgin do seem to have done a good job (seeing as the Pendolinos were delivered as 8 coach sets, all became 9 coach sets and many are now becoming 11 coach sets as well as 4 new ones, though one of those replaces 390033) the franchise has grown massively during the time they've been at the helm so surely that should have gone in their favour as well as the security of the jobs for the employees of the franchise.

While I'm sure FirstGroup will keep the jobs (they said earlier that they may change what some staff do but don't plan on reducing staff levels) the fact they've given back First Great Western 3 years early doesn't really bode well for FirstGroup.

I hope they prove us wrong and do a good job and we don't get a situation as happened on East Coast were GNER and subsequently National Express handed back the franchise as the bids were too optimistic and then the route becomes operated by DOR.