Plans for reduction of journey times by an average of up to 12 minutes
journey between London and Sheffield are a welcome small step. It is
currently quicker to get to Sheffiled via GNER changing at Doncaster.
The Stagecoach site (http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/
pr2007/2007-06-22/) says the 12 minutes reduction in journey times
will take effect from Dec 08 timetable and adds there is potential
further infrastructure-based improvements thereafter.

I'm not sure the promised daily Lincoln service will succeed, assuming
it will go via Nottingham and therefore be too slow. Capacity issues
presumably prevent any Lincoln services going via the East Coast Main
Line. But the appalling (or often non-existant) connections at Newark
N Gate may mean Lincoln passengers may prefer a through train, even if
it is slower, providing it is at a convenient time.

I thought the DfT specified that Nottingham fasts include a Derby
portion that would be split off at Leicester. Surely not a good idea
due to reduced capcity for Nottingham in particular. Is this still
proposed?

Philip

* Improved performance, with a forecast 90.4% of trains on time by the
end of the franchise.

* The Community Rail service between Matlock and Derby will be increased
to every hour and extended directly to Nottingham.

* More investment including more than £5m on improvements to stations,
at least 1250 extra car parking spaces and the introduction of smart
card technology by 2010.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "This agreement will increase value for
money, improve performance and accommodate future growth in demand. From
new and faster services to increased security at stations, I am pleased
that this new franchise will deliver so many benefits to passengers in
the East Midlands."

The Government will continue to limit annual rises of regulated fares in
line with national policy, which is currently RPI+1%. As with all
franchises, unregulated fares will be the responsibility of the
operator. Stagecoach Midland Rail Limited have indicated they may wish
to raise unregulated fares annually by an average of 3.4% above
inflation.

Notes to Editors

1. The award of the new franchise was announced to the London Stock
Exchange at 7am today.

2. The DfT yesterday also awarded the new West Midlands franchise which
will take over the services currently operated by Silverlink County and
the West Midlands local and regional services provided by Central
Trains.

3. New services will be introduced as part of a new timetable from
December 2008.

4. Market Harborough will continue to receive a two-train per hour
service all day.

5. A single compensation policy for all passengers will be introduced
during the term of replacement rail franchises, commencing with the East
and West Midlands. With improving Passenger's Charter performance in
punctuality and reliability the current discount system means that an
increasing number of passengers receive no compensation for delays.

Therefore discounts in renewal for season tickets valid between one
month and one year in compensation for poor punctuality and reliability
will be replaced by compensation based on delays to individual journeys,
known as Delay/Repay. Under the new system, all passengers will be
entitled to claim compensation for all delays, whatever their cause.

* 50% of the price paid for a single-leg journey delayed by between 30
and 59 minutes;

* 100% of the price paid for a single-leg journey delayed by between 60
and 119 minutes; and

* 100% of the price paid for a return journey delayed by more than 119
minutes.

The changes will also start to standardise disparate compensation
arrangements for single, return and weekly season ticket holders on
different train operators.
--
Paul C