Southeastern Trains – Nationalisation By Virus
Under the Emergency Measures Agreement introduced by the Department for Transport (DfT) following the coronavirus outbreak, all rail franchisees’ revenues and cost risks have been effectively nationalised for at least the next six months. Operators like the private joint venture company Govia, who run both the Southern (including Hastings to Brighton, Ashford and London Victoria) and Southeastern (including Hastings to Charing Cross) franchises, are being paid a fixed management fee to keep services running with the potential for performance-based bonuses.
PICTURE: Dave Young
Given the fall in passenger numbers in the wake of the government direction to make no journeys that are not “essential”, but an equal determination to keep trains moving for the few that are, the assumption of risk by central government over this period was inevitable. But Govia has also taken the opportunity to get its Southeastern franchise, which had been due to run out this month, extended for a minimum of 18 months to October 2021 in order to “ensure continuity of operation”.
Govia has operated the franchise since 2006 when it took over from Connex South Eastern. The current contract commenced in June 2019, and was originally intended to run only until a full “refranchising competition” was held. However this was cancelled back in August last year, and the government’s Queens Speech in October endorsed the “sweeping review” of Britain’s rail system being conducted by Keith Williams for the DfT, which promises a complete overhaul of the franchising system.
At the time, the RMT rail union appeared unimpressed. General secretary Mick Cash described the proposed changes as “the current failed rail franchising model re-packaged and re-branded….
Private operation of our railways in incompatible with reliable and high-quality services, lower fares and investment in infrastructure as the train companies will always suck the life blood out of the system in profits and dividends.”
Be that as it may, the new Southeastern agreement provides, once some normality returns, for the introduction of a range of customer service improvements with a view to boosting capacity as additional rolling stock becomes available. There are also provisions for a continued partnership with infrastructure manager Network Rail to develop a longer-term capacity, rolling stock and punctuality strategy for the Southeastern network beyond 2022.
• For the moment trains on the Charing Cross line are running hourly, stopping at all stations, and most involving a change of train at Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge. The last weekday train leaves Charing Cross at 11.10pm each evening.
• For Southern services see www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/coronavirus-information
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