UP TO FIVE MORE YEARS FOR NORTHERN

摘要

THE CONTRACT for the Department for Transport's Operator of Last Resort to run the Northern franchise is set to be extended, potentially taking the operation to March 2027. In a Prior Information Notice published on 1 March, DfT confirmed a new contract is planned to start from 1 March 2022, with a duration 'in the region of 24 months to five years'. This is likely to include a core period of at least 24 months, with extension possible at the discretion of the contracting authority. DfT OLR Holdings Ltd, the Operator of Last Resort company, took over the Northern franchise from Arriva on 1 March 2020.The OLR has continued many of the commitments made in the Arriva franchise, including the rollout of new CAF DMUs and EMUs and the removal of Pacers, while reassessing some options and planning for the introduction of a more robust timetable. DfT OLR Holdings Ltd also runs East Coast main line operator LNER, which currently has a contract running to June 2023 with the option of an extension of up to two years.