Northern and TPE ITTs due in February

摘要

Shortlisted bidders for the replacement Northern and Trans-Pennine Express franchises were informed last month that DfT will now issue ITTs in mid-February 2015. With Network Rail struggling to confirm completion dates for many upgrades, RBI understands that bidders for TPE have been told to assume that the northern Trans-Pennine route will not be electrified during the franchise period, and that the TPE Class 185 fleet will be concentrated on this route to maximise capacity. Consequently, bidders for Northern are being told that there will be no Class 185s available for cascade and that they must devise an alternative rolling stock strategy. Electrification of the Windermere branch (p3) should enable through TPE services from Manchester Airport to be retained, although it is unclear what electric rolling stock would be used.