TVRUG

Northern Franchise Renewal

Discussion and Planning Document

 Version: 0.1

Updated 18th February 2011

Authors: Steve and Julie Gibbon

Please treat this document confidentially. It is being emailed to members only and placed on the member's only are of the web site at the moment. It is an in progress draft document and not for general circulation outside of TVRUG.

We now welcome your comments, feedback and additional points for this document so we can move the process forward.

Please contact Julie Gibbon the Secretary with any comments or input you may have.

Contents

SUMMARY / INTRODUCTION

The present Northern Franchise ends in September 2013. It was let in 2004 on a standstill basis (existing timetable, no new rolling stock). Passenger numbers have continued to increase since, to the point of serious overcrowding on peak trains.

Tyne Valley Rail Users Group (TVRUG) need to think now as to how we can influence the franchising process to require bidders to offer a better service. We are talking to other rail user groups in the region so that we can run a joint campaign and also have planned meetings with local MPs and Councillors.

This document represents one of the first steps in that planning and the document will be developed further. At a meeting members and other interested parties on Thursday 17th February 2011 at Hexham Community Centre TVRUG held a planning workshop as to how as a group we could influence the new franchise conditions and scope.

At this initial meeting high level ideas were generated in the following areas:

• The good parts of the current franchise which should be retained and built upon;

• The not so good aspects of the current franchise;

• A vision for the future - ideas that should be considered by the franchise process or any future franchisee;

• What worked well in our 2005 Northern Services review (which we may use again or build upon);

• Identification of useful allies;

• Ideas for a campaign slogan;

• Developing a plan of action.

The purpose of the workshop was to generate ideas rather than get bogged down in detail. The only rule of the evening is that no ideas or comments were to be dismissed or criticised as even the seemingly most extreme ideas may generate other more mainstream thoughts.

The meeting was supplemented with ideas and comments received from members unable to attend but contributing by email or post.

Please note that as an initial planning workshop and document there is not a lot of detail or supporting evidence and facts yet present. The ideas generated from this process will be built upon as the plan develops.

One overwhelming message from the evening was 'Get rid of the Pacers'.

Please treat this document confidentially. It is being emailed to members only and placed on the member's only are of the web site at the moment. It is an in progress draft document and not for general circulation outside of TVRUG.

The good parts of the current franchise which should be retained and built upon

The bracketed number e.g. (2) in the table below represent the number of views expressed on the matter and thus give an indicative weighting.

The not so good aspects of the current franchise

The bracketed number e.g. (2) in the table below represent the number of views expressed on the matter and thus give an indicative weighting.

A vision for the future - ideas that should be considered by the franchise process or any future franchisee

The bracketed number e.g. (2) in the table below represent the number of views expressed on the matter and thus give an indicative weighting.

What worked well in our 2005 Northern Services review (which we may use again or build upon)

• More trains stopping at Prudhoe, Haydon Bridge and elsewhere

• Better station lighting

• Better station platforms

• Improved Booking Office hours at Hexham

• Additional early morning trains

• Additional late evening trains

Identification of useful allies;

• NEXUS

  • Their 1997 Prudhoe campaign was seen as very good but..

  • They are seen as something of an 'Achilles Heel' by Northern

• MPs - generally, the 5 on the line specifically, all Northern franchise MPs and MSPs from Glasgow southwards

• Northern

• Other bidders

• Rolling Stock manufacturers including the Chinese

• Other line User Groups in the franchise area

• Transition Tynedale, Green Ovingham and other green groups.

• Tourism marketing e.g. Hadrian's Wall Heritage

• Tyne and Wear Public Transport Users Groups

• Northumberland County Council and Local Authorities

• Employers / Employer Groups / Business Forums (getting their staff to work)

• Prudhoe Community Partnership Transport Working Group

• The Community Rail Partnership

Ideas for a campaign slogan

Some ideas for a campaign slogan were generated:

• Use it or shoot the cat!

• Better trains for a better life.

• We don't mind taking you for a ride.

• Green Transport for a Green Valley.

• We'll keep you on the right lines.

• On time, on a seat, with a ticket!

• Meanwhile back on Planet Earth.....

Developing a plan of action.

The meeting produced some ideas for moving forward:

• Target 'missing' Parish Councils e.g. Stocksfield and Town Councils e.g. Hexham, Prudhoe as group members.

• Consider increasing group membership to e.g. £40 in line with other groups such as the Settle Carlisle Rail User Group.

• Run an aggressive membership drive. The more members we have, the wider our representation and the more power we can be seen to have.

• Put his document to the members only section of the web site for comment (and email to all members).

• Is there a 'Big Society' link for us to utilise in this campaign for membership and for the franchise renewal?

• Working with other groups - to be less parochial and more franchise wide co-ordinated whilst still dealing with our local issues.

• Revisit the Station Survey.