HS2 & West Coast Partnership: UK Rail’s Future & Trends

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Introduction

In May 2018, the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport (DfT) announced plans to introduce a new train service, the West Coast Partnership (WCP), which will begin operation in December 2019. This partnership will operate both the existing West Coast Main Line and the initial High Speed 2 (HS2) services.

West Coast Partnership

The DfT confirmed that the WCP franchise will run for a period of between 7 and 10 years. The primary operator will be First Trenitalia, a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia. The new franchise is designed to replace the existing Virgin Trains operation. The start date for the WCP is set for December 8, 2019. The WCP’s responsibilities will include operating services on the West Coast Main Line and the initial HS2 services.

Fleet and Infrastructure

The WCP will utilize the existing fleet of Pendolino trains and Super Voyager trains. In addition, the WCP will be responsible for procuring and introducing new rolling stock for HS2. The franchise agreement mandates the operation of the existing fleet, as well as the introduction of new rolling stock for HS2. The new HS2 rolling stock is expected to have a capacity for 1,100 seats in a 360-meter-long train.

Financial and Operational Details

The revenue sharing mechanism between the WCP and the government will be based on a “management fee” model. This model involves the WCP paying a fee to the government to operate the franchise, with revenue risk and reward shared between the operator and the government. The WCP’s operations will include managing the West Coast Main Line, encompassing stations, infrastructure, and train services.

HS2 and Future Services

The WCP will play a crucial role in the initial operation of HS2, including the integration of HS2 services with the existing West Coast Main Line network. The partnership’s responsibilities will extend to the management of HS2 infrastructure and the operation of HS2 train services. The introduction of HS2 services is planned to commence in 2026, with the initial phase connecting London to Birmingham.

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Conclusion

The West Coast Partnership, a joint venture between First Trenitalia, will begin operations in December 2019, managing both the West Coast Main Line and initial HS2 services. The franchise agreement, set for 7 to 10 years, includes operating existing fleets and introducing new HS2 rolling stock. The financial model will use a “management fee” structure, and the WCP will manage infrastructure and train services on both lines. HS2 services are planned to launch in 2026.

FirstGroup

FirstGroup is a transport operator, and one of the partners in the First Trenitalia joint venture.

Trenitalia

Trenitalia is an Italian state-owned company that operates in passenger and freight transport.

West Coast Partnership

The West Coast Partnership (WCP) is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia responsible for operating the West Coast Main Line and the initial High Speed 2 services.

High Speed 2 (HS2)

High Speed 2 (HS2) is a planned high-speed railway line in the United Kingdom.

West Coast Main Line

The West Coast Main Line is a major railway line in the United Kingdom.

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