Winner of the West Coast main line will run the first HS2 trains
The winner of the West Coast main line retendering is expected to be offered the chance to operate the first trains on the HS2 line.
According to The Times, the Department for Transport (DfT) doesn't want the lines competing with each other at first, so the winner of the next franchise will be invited to run the new high-speed trains on the initial phase of HS2, from London to Birmingham from 2026.
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A DfT spokesman would not confirm this was the plan, but told CityAM it couldn't be ruled out. "We are carefully considering all options for how HS2 and the Intercity West Coast Line will be managed to ensure passengers have choice wherever possible and the public get the greatest benefits," he said.
The process for the retendering of the West Coast line is expected to start next month with an operator expected to take over a new franchise from 2018. When the West Coast franchise ends around 2028, competition could then be introduced with the lines being run separately.
This would mean one train firm would have a monopoly on intercity services between the capital and Birmingham for a period, running both the West Coast main line, as well as HS2 services.
Allowing HS2 to be run jointly with the West Coast line could provide data on demand and give officials insight into how to operate HS2 in the future.
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The refranchising of the West Coast line from London to Glasgow was cancelled in late 2012 following the discovery of significant technical flaws in the way the franchise process was conducted. Virgin challenged a decision to award the rail franchise to First Group, saying it was mishandled.
Virgin, which currently operates the West Coast main line, will lead the bidding, while First Group is expected to be among the new contenders for the service.