Essex Thameside

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Essex Thameside
Fenchurch Street station (6553644825).jpg
Most services operate from Fenchurch Street in London
Current operator c2c
Main Route(s) London, Tilbury and Southend line
Stations called at28
Stations operated26
Dates of operation26 May 1996–8 November 2014
9 November 2014 – 23 July 2023
Technical
Length128.7 km (80.0 mi)[ citation needed ]
Other
Websitewww.dft.gov.uk/publications/essex-thameside-2013/
Route map
C2c route map 2010.svg

Essex Thameside is a railway contract, and former franchise, for the provision of passenger services on the London, Tilbury and Southend line in east London and south Essex. It was formed on 26 May 1996, following the privatisation of British Rail and the franchise was originally called London, Tilbury and Southend. The only train operating company on the line to date has been c2c. Following a number of temporary extensions caused by problems with the rail franchising system, c2c was awarded a new 15-year franchise which commenced on 9 November 2014.

Contents

As part of an abandoned round of re-franchising, bids were received from the shortlisted parties in September 2012 with a winner expected to be announced in January 2013. In October 2012 the government announced the refranchising process would be put on hold, pending a review of the franchising system and the failures of the InterCity West Coast franchising process. [1] In January 2013 the government announced a revised invitation to tender would be issued in summer 2013 with an interim contract for up to two years to be negotiated with National Express. In March 2013 the Secretary of State for Transport announced the franchise would again be extended until 13 September 2014. [2] A further extension of up to eight weeks became necessary following a delay in awarding the franchise. In June 2014 c2c were awarded a new franchise to commence in November 2014. [3]

In February 2017 National Express sold c2c to Trenitalia. [4] [5] [6] [7]

History

Background

Passenger services on the London, Tilbury and Southend line were part of the Network SouthEast sector of British Rail. 1 April 1994 Network SouthEast was broken up into train operating units. One of these was LTS Rail, providing all regular services, and management of 25 stations, from Fenchurch Street along the London, Tilbury and Southend line to Shoeburyness, including a loop line via Rainham and a branch line via Ockendon. LTS Rail was incorporated on 9 June 1994 as a subsidiary of the British Railways Board and acted as a 'shadow franchise' ahead of being offered to private operators.

Initial franchise

The initial London, Tilbury and Southend franchise was one of eight to be announced on 14 December 1994. The invitation to tender was issued on 17 May 1995. [8] On 11 September 1995 the shortlisted bidders Enterprise Rail (management buyout), Stagecoach, Prism Rail and GB Railways were notified. The franchise was awarded to Enterprise Rail on 20 December 1995. On 3 February 1996 the franchise was withdrawn from Enterprise Rail, pending an inquiry into allegations of ticketing and settlement irregularities. [9] [10] On 8 February 1996 the other shortlisted bidders were invited to re-tender. [11]

On 9 May 1996 the franchise was awarded to Prism Rail by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising for 15 years with an average annual subsidy of £18.4 million. LTS Rail commenced operating on 26 May 1996. [12]

1998 renegotiated franchise

Due to unexpected passenger growth, the franchise was renegotiated in 1998 to provide: [13]

An additional stop under the management of London Underground was opened on the route at West Ham in 1999. In July 2000 Prism Rail was purchased by National Express. [14] [15] In 2002 responsibility for managing the main terminal station at Fenchurch Street transferred from the franchisee to Network Rail and in July that year the train operator was rebranded c2c.

Abandoned 2011 renewal and extension to 2013

The franchise, now renamed Essex Thameside, was due to be renewed on 29 May 2011 and the consultation process began in 2009. [16] However following the 2010 United Kingdom General Election there was a change of government and the franchise renewal process was delayed so it could be reviewed. On 23 December 2010 the Department for Transport granted National Express an extension until 26 May 2013. [17]

Abandoned 2013 renewal and extension to 2014

On 29 March 2012 the Department for Transport announced that Abellio, First, MTR and National Express had been shortlisted for the Essex Thameside franchise. [18] On 2 July 2012 the Department for Transport issued the invitation to tender to the shortlisted bidders for a new 15 year franchise. [19] The bids were submitted on 27 September and the successful bidder was expected to be announced in January 2013, but in October 2012 the government halted all ongoing franchise competitions to allow reviews to take place into the franchising process, following the failed InterCity West Coast renewal. [1] [20]

The invitation to tender asked for proposals to deliver the following optional schemes:

In January 2013 the government announced a revised invitation to tender would be issued in summer 2013 with an interim contract for up to two years to be negotiated with National Express. [21] In March 2013 the Secretary of State for Transport announced the franchise would again be extended until 13 September 2014. [2]

2014 renewal

In September 2013 a revised invitation to tender was issued, [22] with the winner was due to be announced in May 2014 and the new franchise due to start in September 2014. [23]

The minimum train service requirement for the franchise for 07:00-21:59 Monday to Friday and 09:00-19:59 on Saturday is as follows: [24]

The train service requirement is met if a service calls at Stratford and Liverpool Street instead of Fenchurch Street and Limehouse. [24]

Responsibility for upkeep of stations is to be transferred from Network Rail to the train operator under the new franchise. The new operator will manage all stations on the route except Liverpool Street (to remain under Network Rail operation), Stratford and West Ham (both TfL). Fenchurch Street will transfer from Network Rail management to the new operator. The operator is required to implement ITSO-compliant smartcard tickets within five years.

After a delay National Express was announced as the winner with the franchise running from 9 November 2014 until 2029. [3] In February 2017 National Express sold the operating company c2c to Trenitalia. [6]

Emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic

The franchise was effectively suspended on 1 April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with an emergency measures agreement entered into to vary the terms of the franchise agreement. [25] This was replaced on 20 September 2020 by an emergency recovery measures agreement. [26] This temporary arrangement lasted until the legal replacement of the franchise agreement with a rail contract. [27]

2021 rail contract

The franchise became a rail contract from 19 July 2021, and the expiry date was brought forward from 2029 to 23 July 2023. [28] [29]

Related Research Articles

c2c British train operating company

c2c is a British train operating company owned by Trenitalia that operates the Essex Thameside railway contract. It manages 25 stations and its trains call at 28. c2c provides commuter services from its London Fenchurch Street terminus to parts of East London and south Essex along the London, Tilbury and Southend line. At weekends it also operates from London Liverpool Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limehouse station</span> Docklands Light Railway and National Rail station

Limehouse is a National Rail and connected Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station in Limehouse, London, England. It is served by regional services operated by c2c to and from Fenchurch Street, and by light metro services provided by the DLR to and from Tower Gateway or Bank. On the main line, Limehouse is located 1 mile 58 chains (2.8 km) from Fenchurch Street and the following station is West Ham; on the DLR it is between Shadwell and Westferry in Travelcard Zone 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenchurch Street railway station</span> Railway terminus in the City of London

Fenchurch Street railway station, also known as London Fenchurch Street, is a central London railway terminus in the southeastern corner of the City of London. It takes its name from its proximity to Fenchurch Street, a key thoroughfare in the City. The station and all trains are operated by c2c. Services run on lines built by the London and Blackwall Railway (L&BR) and the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) are to destinations in east London and south Essex, including Upminster, Grays, Basildon, Southend and Shoeburyness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Ham station</span> London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and National rail station

West Ham is a London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and National Rail intermodal interchange station in West Ham, London, United Kingdom. The station is served by London Underground's District, Hammersmith & City and Jubilee lines, the Stratford International branch of the DLR, and c2c National Rail services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barking station</span> Interchange railway station in London

Barking is an interchange station serving the town of Barking, east London. It is served by London Underground, London Overground and National Rail main line services. It is located on Station Parade, in the town centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upminster station</span> London Underground and railway station

Upminster is an interchange station serving the town of Upminster in the London Borough of Havering, Greater London. It is on the London, Tilbury and Southend line (LTSR), 15 miles 20 chains (24.5 km) down the line from London Fenchurch Street; it is the eastern terminus of the District line on the London Underground; and it is the eastern terminus of the Romford to Upminster Line on the London Overground network. Upminster is the easternmost station on the London Underground network as well as the easternmost National Rail station in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London, Tilbury and Southend line</span> Commuter railway line in England

The London, Tilbury and Southend line, also known as Essex Thameside, is a commuter railway line on the British railway system. It connects Fenchurch Street station, in central London, with destinations in east London and Essex, including Barking, Upminster, Basildon, Grays, Tilbury, Southend and Shoeburyness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grays railway station</span> Railway station in Grays, Essex, England

Grays railway station is on the London, Tilbury and Southend line serving the town of Grays, Essex. It is 19 miles 70 chains (32.0 km) down the line from London Fenchurch Street via Rainham and is located at the junction where a branch line from Upminster via Ockendon re-joins the route from Rainham. Its three-letter station code is GRY.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chafford Hundred Lakeside railway station</span> Network Rail station in Essex, England

Chafford Hundred Lakeside railway station, also known simply as Chafford Hundred station, is located on a single-track branch line of the London, Tilbury and Southend line, serving the area of Chafford Hundred as well as Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex. It is 20 miles 77 chains (33.7 km) down the line from London Fenchurch Street via Upminster; it is situated between Ockendon and Grays. Its three-letter station code is CFH.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ockendon railway station</span> Network Rail station in Essex, England

Ockendon railway station is located on a passing loop on a single-track branch of the London, Tilbury and Southend line, serving the town of South Ockendon, Essex. It is 18 miles 44 chains (29.9 km) down the line from London Fenchurch Street via Upminster; the following station on the branch is Chafford Hundred Lakeside. Its three-letter station code is OCK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenitalia</span> Italian railway company

Trenitalia is the primary train operator in Italy. A subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, itself partly owned by the Italian government, the company and partly from private investors group. It was established in 2000 following a European Union directive on the deregulation of rail transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 357</span> Class of electric multiple unit built by Adtranz

The British Rail Class 357Electrostar alternating current (AC) electric multiple-unit passenger trains (EMUs) were built by Adtranz at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works, England, in two batches from 1999 to 2002 at a cost of approximately £292 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoeburyness railway station</span> Railway station in Essex, England

Shoeburyness railway station is the eastern terminus of the London, Tilbury and Southend Line, serving the suburb of Shoeburyness, Essex. It is 39 miles 40 chains (63.57 km) down the main line from London Fenchurch Street via Basildon; the preceding station is Thorpe Bay. Its three-letter station code is SRY.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southend Central railway station</span> Railway station in Essex, England

Southend Central railway station is on the London, Tilbury and Southend line and is one of two primary stations serving the city of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The city's other main station is called Southend Victoria which is the terminus of a branch line off the Great Eastern Main Line. Southend Central is 35 miles 55 chains (57.43 km) down the line from London Fenchurch Street via Basildon and it is situated between Westcliff and Southend East stations. Its three-letter station code is SOC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westcliff railway station</span> Railway station in Essex, England

Westcliff railway station is on the London, Tilbury and Southend line, serving the locality of Westcliff-on-Sea in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It is 34 miles 66 chains (56.0 km) down the main line from London Fenchurch Street via Basildon and it is situated between Chalkwell to the west and Southend Central to the east. Its three-letter station code is WCF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain</span> Outsourcing of rail transport

Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain is the system of contracting the operation of the passenger services on the railways of Great Britain to private companies, which has been in effect since 1996 and was greatly altered in 2020, with rail franchising being effectively abolished in May 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Ham Depot</span>

East Ham Depot is a depot on the London, Tilbury and Southend line between East Ham and Barking stations with the depot code EM. The depot is approximately 6+1⁄2 mi (10.5 km) from London Fenchurch Street station, and just west of the River Roding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southend East railway station</span> Railway station in Essex, England

Southend East railway station is on the London, Tilbury and Southend line, serving the Southchurch area to the east of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It is 36 miles 49 chains (58.9 km) down the main line from London Fenchurch Street via Basildon and it is situated between Southend Central to the west and Thorpe Bay to the east. Its three-letter station code is SOE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beam Park railway station</span> Planned railway station to serve Beam Park, London

Beam Park railway station is a planned railway station to serve the new community of Beam Park. Intended to serve a redeveloped former industrial area with extremely poor access to public transport, plans for the station have been in development since at least 2002. Beam Park is a large housing development that extends from the London Borough of Havering, where the new station is proposed to be sited, into the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The construction costs of the station have been met by developers in the area and the Greater London Authority. The station received planning permission in February 2019. As of August 2023 the Department for Transport has not authorised the introduction of passenger services at the station and is unwilling to do so until 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Anglia franchise</span> British passenger railway franchise

The East Anglia franchise is a railway franchise for passenger trains on the Great Eastern Main Line and West Anglia Main Lines in England. It commenced operating in April 2004 when the Anglia and Great Eastern franchises, together with the West Anglia part of the West Anglia Great Northern franchise, were combined to form the Greater Anglia franchise.

References

  1. 1 2 "West Coast Main Line franchise competition cancelled". dft.gov.uk. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Railway plan puts new focus on passengers" Secretary of State for Transport statement 26 March 2013
  3. 1 2 c2c award 15-year Essex Thameside franchise BBC News 27 June 2014
  4. ↑ National Express to sell c2c to Italian railways Railnews 11 January 2017
  5. ↑ Acquisition of c2c franchise by Trenitalia National Express 11 January 2017
  6. 1 2 "National Express To Sell C2c Franchise To FS Italiane's Trenitalia For £70 Mln" RTT News 11 January 2017
  7. ↑ Trenitalia completes c2c acquisition Railway Gazette International 13 February 2017
  8. ↑ Poole, Fiona (8 August 1996). "Rail Passenger Franchises" (PDF). House of Commons Library. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Paul Routledge Political Correspondent (4 February 1996). "Inquiry into ticket fraud stalls rail sell-off - News". The Independent. London. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  10. ↑ CHRISTIAN WOLMAR Transport Correspondent (5 February 1996). "Government orders rail fraud inquiry - News". The Independent. London. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF): The award of the first three passenger rail franchises". National Audit Office. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  12. ↑ Magnus Grimond (30 May 1996). "Soaring Prism renews rail sale attack - Business - News". The Independent. London. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  13. ↑ "Railways: passenger franchises, Standard Note: SN1343" (PDF). Parliament.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  14. ↑ Finance (19 July 2000). "National Express buys Prism for £166m". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  15. ↑ Keith Harper (19 July 2000). "National Express buys Prism for £166m | Business". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  16. ↑ "What passengers want from the Essex Thameside rail franchise - a submission from". Passenger Focus. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "c2c extension awarded to National Express". Railnews. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Bidders to oversee improvements on rail franchises announced - News - Department for Transport". Dft.gov.uk. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  19. ↑ "Essex Thameside franchise: Invitation to tender - Publications - Department for Transport". Dft.gov.uk. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  20. ↑ "All franchising on hold as InterCity West Coast award cancelled". Railway Gazette. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  21. ↑ Rail franchising future programme Department for Transport 31 January 2013
  22. ↑ Thameslink Essex Thameside Invitation to Tender Department for Transport 26 September 2013
  23. ↑ Essex Thameside franchise 2013: invitation to tender
  24. 1 2 "Essex Thameside Train Service Requirement Attachment A" (PDF). 2 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  25. ↑ "Emergency Measures Agreement in respect of the Franchise Agreement dated 15 July 2014" (PDF). Department for Transport. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  26. ↑ "Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement" (PDF). Department for Transport. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  27. ↑ Ilaria Grasso Macola (23 September 2020). "Explained: the end of the rail franchising system in the UK". Railway-technology.com. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  28. ↑ "Trenitalia c2c Limited 2021: rail contract" (PDF). Department for Transport. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "Trenitalia c2c Limited 2021: business plan commitments" (PDF). Department for Transport. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
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