Committees

Intercity East Coast rail franchise inquiry

Inquiry

The Committee’s inquiry examines the lessons to be learned from this and previous franchise failures on this part of the network; the best way forward in the short and longer term; and the wider implications for the rail franchising system.

The Committee is particularly interested to receive evidence addressing:

  • the reasons for the failure of the current franchise agreement, lessons learnt from previous failures of franchises on the East Coast Mainline and the steps the Department for Transport needs to take to guard against future failures;
  • the management of infrastructure works on the East Coast Mainline, including the relationships between the Department’s aspirations for the franchise, the operators’ obligations in the franchise agreement and planned Network Rail infrastructure works;
  • the Department’s contingency plans, particularly the steps it is taking to minimise risk to passengers and taxpayers;
  • the readiness of the Department to act as an operator of last resort;
  • the feasibility of the Department’s proposal to establish a public/private East Coast Partnership, to be operational by 2020; and
  • the wider implications for rail franchising of the failure of the East Coast franchise, including for the competitiveness of the system.

Work news

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Government responds to Transport Committee report on Intercity East Coast Rail franchise
Committee agrees to publish Government Response to the Intercity East Coast Rail franchise report
22 November 2018
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Stagecoach, Virgin and Department must share responsibility for East Coast
Transport Committee reports finds East Coast Partnership proposal needs a rethink
12 September 2018
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Secretary of State questioned on Intercity East Coast rail franchise
Transport Committee hears on termination and future prospects of franchise
20 July 2018
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East Coast franchise: Committee questions Stagecoach, Network Rail and DfT
Transport Committee examines franchise's shortcomings and how future operations are being improved
13 July 2018
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Intercity East Coast rail franchise examined by Committee
Transport Committee hears on financial risk and uncertainty management in the bidding process
21 May 2018
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Intercity East Coast rail franchise inquiry launched
Transport Committee inquiry examines the lessons to be learned from this and previous franchise failures
12 February 2018
Total results 6 (page 1 of 1)

Contact us

Please note: The Transport Committee examines policy issues relating to the Department for Transport and its associated bodies. It is unable to investigate, or adjudicate on, individual cases.

  • Email: transcom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 2226/ Text relay: 18001 020 2226 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 8895 (media enquiries)
  • Address: Transport Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA/ Twitter: @TransportCttee