V-Flyer

https://otp.investis.com/generic/regula ... id=1246762

Looks like when the current franchise ends, the Virgin brand will disappear from the West Coast Main Line as Stagecoach (whom Virgin have partnered with for the new franchise) have been disqualified from the competition. This will probably also mean FC earning opportunities on tickets bought for VWC servies will end when the current franchise ends.

Much the same as Virgin Trains East coast changed to LNER last year. At least with LNER you can still earn Nectar points.

So they've lost East Midlands Trains too... yikes. Franchising is a busted flush anyway. But still, Stagecoach were one of the better operators.

What on earth were Stagecoach thinking of in putting in a bid that they knew was non-compliant from the start.

Given they had to hand back the East Coast Franchise perhaps they really just wanted out of the UK rail business and blaming the Government is better than blaming yourself.

tontybear wrote:What on earth were Stagecoach thinking of in putting in a bid that they knew was non-compliant from the start.

Given they had to hand back the East Coast Franchise perhaps they really just wanted out of the UK rail business and blaming the Government is better than blaming yourself.

If you read the press release again the issue here is pension contributions and how much the DfT expects the winning bidder to cough up, particularly given there's no fixed amount in mind. It's becoming an issue that's affecting all TOC's, not just this particular franchise or bidder.

As for the East Coast, there was a lot more to it and it wasn't just a case of handing the keys back.

I am quite aware of the pensions issue (and the east coast issues) but they simply didn't comply with the DfT bid requirements which is what got them barred from submitting any more bids.

Then pensions issue didn't stop other bidders submitting compliant bids.

Stagecoach willfully submitted a non compliant bid rather than not simply bidding. That is either gross incompetence or a brilliant strategy to exit the rail market in the UK. Not sure which it is though!

tontybear wrote:What on earth were Stagecoach thinking of in putting in a bid that they knew was non-compliant from the start.

Given they had to hand back the East Coast Franchise perhaps they really just wanted out of the UK rail business and blaming the Government is better than blaming yourself.

The government basically put an uncapped pension commitment on the franchise, presumably the Dutch government are happy to comply. Abellio are however, shite.

i think all public transport should all be renationalize,so we have an integrated transport system with trains and buses

I've had an e-mail through which, as expected, confirms that Flying Club miles can no longer be earned with Virgin Trains after 5th December 2019 when the West Coast franchises passes to FirstGroup/Trenitalia.

The e-mail says that bookings made on/before 5th Dec 2019 will still earn points and also says that missing mile claims need to be made by 7th March 2020.

Related to VT, Virgin branding is already disappearing from the trains and from stations, which is normal practice whenever a rail franchise is about to end and changing hands. The Pendolino's look very bare in the plain white colours without the Virgin red towards the ends of the trains and there's more to come as the remainder of the fleet are being repainted at the moment anyway.

As an aside, Virgin Trains has now existed for a lot longer in my lifetime than British Rail!