At that time, it was announced that the franchise would operate under EMA conditions for at least six months due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The existing EMA is due to expire this month. The new franchise was to last 15 years and include the introduction of new InterCity express trains, capacity expansion and smart ticketing. [19] The privatization of the railways in the nineties created 25 concessions. As part of the planned reduction to 17, a new «Greater Western» franchise was formed by the combination of Great Western, Great Western Link and Wessex into a major operator. Enquiries on railway concession contracts may be addressed to rail.publicregister@dft.gov.uk. In November 2017, the Department of Transportation announced that the Great Western Railway franchise would be extended until March 2020, with the option of an extension until March 2022 to be considered. «As the country begins the process of `better reconstruction`, the critical role of public transport has never been clearer than it is today, and our leadership position in this sector means we play an important role. Our rail services play a vital role in stimulating economic growth, fighting climate change and supporting the development of vibrant and sustainable communities. Greater Western is a railway company providing passenger services from London Paddington to the Cotswolds, west of England, south-west England and south Wales. The current owner is the Great Western Railway. In April 2005, the agency announced that FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to apply for the new franchise. [1] In December 2005, the Department of Transportation awarded the franchise to firstGroup, with services operated by First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains being transferred to First Great Western on April 1, 2006.

[2] The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has made use of the possibility of extending the Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) for the Great Western Railway (GWR) for at least another nine months. Before the end of the EMA period in June 2021, the DfT has the possibility to extend the EMA. GWR also has the right to operate again with revenue risk at least until 2023, but with protection through the revenue forecasting mechanism. The franchise agreement also provides for the agreement on a rebasing of income that would apply at the end of the EMA`s term. The EMA was developed to protect franchisees with financial support and has been extended until June 26, 2021. FirstGroup and the Ministry of Transport (DfT) have signed a new Direct Award to continue operating GWR from 1 April 2020, the expiry date of the current agreement. This will last for three years, with the possibility for the government to add another year and will take place at the same time as the six-month contingency agreement that is now in place with the DfT. In November 2017, the government announced that it was considering splitting the franchise to create a new franchise in the west of England offering long-distance services between London, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, as well as local and regional services in the south-west. [21] [22] This proposal was abandoned by the Department of Transport after consultation.

[23] At the same time, the government confirmed its intention to extend the right to vote until March 2020 and proposed a further extension until March 2022. [11] In March 2020, the DfT granted a further extension until March 31, 2023 with an option to extend for another year. [24] [25] A government press release dated January 31, 2013 states: «The Great Western Franchise Contest is coming to an end. The current franchise now runs until October 2013, after the ministry exercised its contractual right to extend the current contract with First Great Western by 28 weeks. Negotiations on an additional two-year contract will begin with the operator, while longer-term proposals will be presented in the spring. See below. See the Department of Transportation`s announcement >> which included news of a public consultation on the future of the Great Western Rail franchise. The public consultation closes on 21 February 2018 and franchising will now be replaced by more stringent agreements on disaster recovery measures (ERMA). These address the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the railways and deliver on the government`s commitment to replace the current franchise system.

As the UK`s largest operator with four passenger contracts expected to last until at least 2023, FirstGroup is well positioned to benefit from the government`s transition to the passenger rail sector to a less risky and more predictable commercial structure. The transition to a new model should create a well-functioning rail system that works better for passengers and taxpayers, while generating more resilient and consistent returns for shareholders. In January 2013, the government announced that the franchise competition had been cancelled, with the existing franchise extended until October 12, 2013, when it ended. In January 2013, negotiations were held with First to manage the franchise on a management contract basis for two years. [4] In October 2013, a two-year franchise extension was agreed until September 2015[5],[6] and extended until March 2019. [7] [8] [9] In March 2015, an extension was granted until April 2019. [10] In 2016, an extension to March 2020 was announced on First Group`s website, which was confirmed by the government in November 2017, as well as the intention to discuss with First a lawsuit until March 2022. [11] The deductible lasted ten years, with the last three years being optional. .

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