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Post by snoggle on Sept 20, 2015 12:58:46 GMT
An interesting paper, sadly lacking in detail, is going to the TfL Board next week. It concerns that Train Service Contract with Alstom to supply the rolling stock for the Northern Line. TfL has a contract "break" option next September but the issue is being assessed now. It'll be interesting to see what decision is taken - keep it with Alstom or take it all in house and pay whatever monies are due to the funders and Alstom. tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/board-20150924-part-1-item08-alstom-nltsc.pdfNearly all of the paper is "redacted" on the grounds of commercial confidentiality so don't expect to see any juicy numbers or hints as to the preferred option (unfortunately). |
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DWS
every second count's
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Post by DWS on Sept 20, 2015 13:30:36 GMT
Northern line trains are not London Undergrounds, if they want to end the contract they would have to buy the current trains at second hand prices or have to have new ones built.
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Post by snoggle on Sept 20, 2015 13:44:17 GMT
Northern line trains are not London Undergrounds, if they want to end the contract they would have to buy the current trains at second hand prices or have to have new ones built. Not sure that is entirely correct given vast sums have been spent over the last 20 years or so. Only a very small number of the fleet are owned by the banks outright and contracts on this scale *always* have a way of dealing with a range of situations and the consequences. That will be largely about ensuring LU is not left with no trains to run a service and also that the banks get their money (they ALWAYS get their money). I was responsible for the NLTSC for a short period of time but I won't claim to be as expert as a former colleague was on that particular contract. |
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DWS
every second count's
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Post by DWS on Sept 20, 2015 14:29:41 GMT
Will Tube Lines take over from Alstom as they did on the Jubilee line at Stratford Market depot ?
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Post by snoggle on Sept 20, 2015 18:26:58 GMT
Will Tube Lines take over from Alstom as they did on the Jubilee line at Stratford Market depot ? Who knows? I'd be surprised it that wasn't one option under consideration but the NLTSC is much more involved and complex than the Jub Line set up. That was effectively just bringing outsourced work back "in house" with TUPE transfer of staff. TfL / LU have been pursuing that sort of strategy when it was financially worthwhile. Tube Lines also had a preference for short lines of command / more control over critical activities like rolling stock maintenance which is why the Picc Line maintenance was never outsourced and Jubilee Line brought back in. That was a few years ago - no idea how things are run these days and if there are any Amey people still involved in the management of JNP engineering actitivies (Ops or Projects). |
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North End
Beneath Newington Causeway
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Post by North End on Sept 20, 2015 20:39:13 GMT
Will Tube Lines take over from Alstom as they did on the Jubilee line at Stratford Market depot ? Who knows? I'd be surprised it that wasn't one option under consideration but the NLTSC is much more involved and complex than the Jub Line set up. That was effectively just bringing outsourced work back "in house" with TUPE transfer of staff. TfL / LU have been pursuing that sort of strategy when it was financially worthwhile. Tube Lines also had a preference for short lines of command / more control over critical activities like rolling stock maintenance which is why the Picc Line maintenance was never outsourced and Jubilee Line brought back in. That was a few years ago - no idea how things are run these days and if there are any Amey people still involved in the management of JNP engineering actitivies (Ops or Projects). It's worth adding that generally the Northern arrangement works well. Whilst not perfect, I don't sense a burning desire to ditch Alstom. Things have come a long way from the early days, and the 95 stock is a solid performer, and is generally better than 96 stock in most respects. You won't find a 95 stock cab held together with hazard tape, unlike a few on the Jubilee. I've no idea on the financial situation however. |
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Post by 100andthirty on Sept 21, 2015 19:59:47 GMT
Northern line trains are not London Undergrounds, if they want to end the contract they would have to buy the current trains at second hand prices or have to have new ones built. Not sure that is entirely correct given vast sums have been spent over the last 20 years or so. Only a very small number of the fleet are owned by the banks outright and contracts on this scale *always* have a way of dealing with a range of situations and the consequences. That will be largely about ensuring LU is not left with no trains to run a service and also that the banks get their money (they ALWAYS get their money). I was responsible for the NLTSC for a short period of time but I won't claim to be as expert as a former colleague was on that particular contract. The trains are all (except, possibly, two which are owned by Alstom) owned by the banks |
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Post by flippyff on Oct 14, 2015 7:50:26 GMT
There's a headline on transportbriefing.co.uk that says Alstom have kept the contract until 2027. The story is behind a pay-wall though.
Simon
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