Thameslink - slicing risk acknowledged

摘要

Last month's column mentioned that DfT Rail had given bidders for the new Thameslink fleet another two months to restructure their offers. This followed consultation on the funding discussion paper published on 16 January which raised the issue of 'slicing', or phasing, funding and train deliveries. Now, following consultation, DfT Rail has published the amendments to the bidding instructions in the Invitation to Tender. And in the restructured offers bidders are to assume that funding will be sliced into a 'minimum' of two batches. In return, DfT Rail says it will commit, 'at financial close', to procure the whole of the Thameslink fleet. But this 'commitment' comes with the hefty proviso that the finance for Batch 2 is then available on acceptable terms.