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Secret rail talks 'started 18 months ago'



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SECRET discussions over the controversial extension of the First ScotRail franchise started nearly 18 months ago because the company was performing so well, MSPs have been told.
Stewart Stevenson, the transport minister, said extending the Scottish Government's biggest contract by three years to 2014 was required to provide an incentive for the train operator to continue to make improvements.

Last month, he announced without consultation an extension to the original seven-year contract, to the anger of politicians and unions. First ScotRail will receive £2 billion of subsidy over the total contract.

The minister told Holyrood's transport committee yesterday that if the franchise had not been extended, the taxpayer could have lost £4 million and First ScotRail would have had no incentive to continue marketing rail travel to increase passengers further.

They have increased by 20 per cent to 80 million a year since 2004. Mr Stevenson said a new revenue-sharing deal would bring an extra £70 million of improvements.



The full article contains 168 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 06 May 2008 9:53 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: ScotRail , The railways
 
1

,

07/05/2008 00:02:34
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

truthsleuth,

07/05/2008 00:45:17
The argument about saving money by extending the contract may or may not be true as it is so with every franchises.
It may be true that 'secrtet' talks were started under the labour administration. This is true of all contract negotiations.
NEITHER OF *THESE ALTER THE FACT THAT IT WAS THE SNP WHO AWARDED THE EXTENSION FOR RATHER DUBIOUS REASONS
Those who suspect philimandering have got grounds for doing so.

* I suspect the news item was probably generated by SNP sources to throw the hounds of the scent.
3

Edward,

07/05/2008 01:51:15
#2 truthsleuth
I think you wouldnt know the truth if it came up to you and happy slapped your face!
The truth is now out it was LABOUR that started the negotiations EIGHTEEN months ago because Scotrail were doing such a good job
4

Bridged and tunnelled,

07/05/2008 02:02:30
Starting to talk to someone is a whole lot different than agreeing an extension without testing the market, or consulting on the idea.

For myself, I'm not sure I have a problem with Scotrail, at least not one that FS are responsible for (Railtrack are a different matter). But if there are complaints against the decision, they lie firmly at the SNP Govt's door, nor its predecessor administration.
5

Guga II,

Rockall 07/05/2008 02:47:36
#2. If I was you, I'd be more concerned about what was happening in your own country.
6

,

07/05/2008 09:17:38
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
7

Miss H,

07/05/2008 09:38:14
2 I think the reason is because of the Commonwealth Games. The transport improvements needed to make it a success really need to be in place well before 2014 otherwise we are going to have a bit of a disaster on our hands aren't we?
8

Alan B,

07/05/2008 11:16:25
I have no problem with a government extending the franchise per se.

But i would like these articles to show were the improvements have been. Travelling every day by train i cannot see them.

In the last period i have travelled in carriages without light twice. Trains are delayed. Problably the my biggest issue is the trains are over crowded in the morning. Having longer trains, then increasing frequency as necessary is always talked about but the problems are never resolved. I have lost count of the number of times trains are shortened making over crowding much worse.

Staff training on ticketing is a joke. i have been told multiple times by staff not to bother filling in the date in a flexi pass ticket as i did not have a pen and neither did they. Only to have to buy a replacement ticket on the train as the conductor contradicts the info told to passengers by his colleagues.



9

Queen D,

Glasgow 07/05/2008 12:15:01
Hope everyone can COUNT out there !
18 months ago ?
Lib/ Lab in power ?
Ringing warning bells !
10

truthsleuth,

08/05/2008 00:47:07
# 3 Edward

Learn to read
You clearly have amind that is closed to the facts.
I will say it again
THE SNP SIGNED THE DEAL NOT THE LABOUR GROUP THEY STARTED THE NEGOTIATIONS AND I SAY THAT

11

truthsleuth,

08/05/2008 00:50:39
#5 Guga II,

My OWN COUNTRY IS SCOTLAND
I know what is happenning in ENgland
If I were you I'd get your head out of the haggis dish and clear your brain.

Remember ASS and co are definitely not saints even if you may be classed as one of their anal vines.
12

David Harrington,

Edinburgh 14/05/2008 12:33:58
Stewart Stevenson has not secured enough improvements to make the extension worthwhile at this point - at £4m First got off very lightly and I bet their negotiators were very pleased with themselves. Clearly the new minister lacks experience to negotiate a better result for taxpayers. Although they do have their problems, First Scotrail are a good operator; Network Rail on the other hand...

 

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