This in from KILF where they say a recent official response shows that ideas outside keeping Island Line inside the franchise were only explored after Andrew Turner and his Transport advisor, Nick Finney, had their meeting with government where they suggested the possibility of a Community Rail Partnership – Ed.
The KILF Campaign is disclosing a response it has received to an FOI (Freedom of Information) Request, which confirms that both the Department for Transport (DfT) and Stagecoach South West Trains (SSWT) have committed to look at an alternative approach for Island Line trains.
In July, KILF member David Pugh submitted an FOI request to the DfT which included this question:
Has Stagecoach Group’s UK Rail division, or South West Trains, made any representations (through written submissions, meeting notes etc) to the DfT during the past three years about the future of the Island Line service, and particularly in relation to its possible inclusion, exclusion or variance in relation to a post-2019 South Western franchise? If so, please provide copies of all such documentation.
“Create transition plans to the future ownership model”
Although the DfT declined to disclose some of the information it holds in relation to this request – on the grounds of it being likely to prejudice commercial interests – the limited detail which has been released confirms that Stagecoach SWT (as the incumbent operator) put forward proposals to the DfT to support them in looking at the future of Island Line.
Significantly, this included a proposal to work with the DfT to assist them in evaluating options for Island Line and “create transition plans to the future ownership model”.
While the latter was set out in SSWT’s response to the intended Direct Award (the proposed franchise extension to 2019) which was subsequently scrapped, KILF is concerned it is indicative of the intentions for Island Line’s future – hence the DfT’s current refusal to confirm that the service will be in the next franchise.
Recent Deed of Amendment put in place
Another significant part of the FOI reveals that a Deed of Amendment (Passenger Investment) to the current South Western Franchise Agreement was put in place as recently as March 2015, part of which required the franchisee (SSWT) to co-operate and engage with the Secretary of State, the Isle of Wight Council and other stakeholders (as appropriate) “in connection with the development of a long term plan for the future of the Island Line and any investigation or report in relation to the Island Line”.
Speaking in response to the release of this information, KILF Campaign Steering Group member Stewart Blackmore said:
“It is no coincidence that these moves took place soon after the February meeting with Rail Minister Claire Perry – where an alternative model for Island Line, outside of the franchise, was advocated. The MP’s Office has long championed the community ownership approach, which has included Andrew Turner’s transport adviser Nick Finney having a direct dialogue with DfT to push this model.
“Understandably, DfT and SSWT have responded to this encouragement from the MP’s Office, putting in place procedures to explore such alternatives. We consider it is unlikely that such considerations would have got to this stage if the MP had instead been pushing for Island Line to remain in the next franchise.”
Island Line removal “clearly a live issue”
Chris Quirk added,
“Consideration of removing Island Line from the South Western franchise is clearly a live issue at the Department for Transport. It is one that requires a robust response from those of us who wish to see the continued operation of a rail service on the Island.
“On behalf of the KILF Campaign, I will shortly be meeting with Andrew Turner to discuss our concerns – and explore whether he is prepared to now help us recover this position by facilitating a direct dialogue with the DfT to promote Island Line’s retention in the franchise model for the duration of the next period.
“With the 25-year lease for use of the track (between Network Rail and the franchisee) ending in 2019, we are concerned that Island Line may only be placed in the post-2017 franchise for its first 2 years. Mr Finney spoke last week of the assets becoming available when this lease runs out.
“There is a serious risk that both the operations and assets of Island Line will be transferred into an unviable locally-based social enterprise partnership in 2019. We must ensure this doesn’t happen, and instead that Island Line remains in the next franchise for its entire duration, with a commitment to maintaining service levels and securing investment.”
The official response
Full detail of the FOI response can be found below. Click on the full screen icon to see larger version.
