Save the Melksham Train
Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
Stagecoach Tipped To Win South Western Franchise - 499/1464
Written by Lee on Monday, 18th September 2006

Bad news for First?
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/09/stagecoach_on_track_for_rail_d.html#more

"Rail industry sources said that while Stagecoach, the incumbent on the franchise, was favourite, there was still a possibility that the deal could go to one of its rivals. Stagecoach is bidding against First Group, Arriva, and a joint-venture between MTR, the Hong Kong transport company, and National Express."

The announcement is expected this week.

Re: Stagecoach Tipped To Win South Western Franchise - 499/1466
Written by Lee on Monday, 18th September 2006

Here is an interesting archive link........
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/52_From_the_rumour_mill.html

Re: Stagecoach Tipped To Win South Western Franchise - 499/1469
Written by Lee on Tuesday, 19th September 2006

Brian Souter and his sister Ann Gloag sold their entire shareholding in the Scottish airline ScotAirways yesterday in order, it was said, for Mr Souter to focus fully on his role at Stagecoach. Mr Souter also stood down as chairman of ScotAirways with immediate effect (link below.)
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/09/souter_sells_airline_stake_to.html#more

"The move came as the Department for Transport prepares to name the winner of the South West Trains franchise, the biggest commuter network in the country. Stagecoach is favourite to retain the franchise, which it won originally in 1996. It faces competition from three other bidders, the strongest of which is thought to be First Group, now the country's biggest train operator."

"There had been speculation that the DfT would announce the winner of the contest today. That is wide of the mark. But the DfT will announce today the shortlists of bidders for two new Midlands franchises and a cross-country franchise."

Re: Stagecoach Tipped To Win South Western Franchise - 499/1471
Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Tuesday, 19th September 2006

I look forward to hearing the result.

 
link to index of articles


Save the Train was the campaign to bring an approriate train service back to and through Melksham.

Most big contributors are still around writing at the Coffee shop forum where new members are very welcome.

The train has been saved - sort of - we have stepped back up from an unusable service to a poorish one but it's doing very well. We did that through setting up the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. That fulfilled its early objectives; it has been taken over by local and regional government types who are now doing medium and long term work. The team from this forun can also be found at the Melksham Rail User Group (which was the Melksham Rail Development Group at the time these articles were written and we had no users.

We mustn't loose sight, though, that the train service remains poor and needs our community support in marketing and campaigning to keep it going in a positive direction ... and all the more so when we're expecting to find a different normallity once we get out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and head for zero carbon via the climate crisis. Yes, it's saved ... it's now a key community facility ... the need for enhancement and the strong and near-universal local support remain, and the rail industry and goverment remain slow to move and provide the enhancements even to level us up with other towns. Please support the Melksham Rail User Group - now very much in partnership rather than protest with the rail industry and local government, including GWR, TransWilts and unitary and town councils. And please use the trains and buses, and cycle and walk when you can.

-- Graham Ellis, (webmaster), February 2021


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