East Coat re-privatisation planned for November 2011

Date: 25/11/2009

The East Coast rail franchise is scheduled to be back under a public charter in two years, according to the Department for Transport.

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis explained re-privatisation plans are proposed for November 2011 and that the existing rail service for the line is expected to change, though a report from the Department said it was still considering the service options.

Bids for the franchise are expected to be called by next autumn, after government minister consultation scheduled for next spring.

Meanwhile, a general election, if held next May, could see the franchise going public sooner if the Conservatives win.

Tory rail minister Stephen Hammond reportedly noted last month that he didn’t see a reason why the government shouldn’t re-privatise East Coast before the Labour-scheduled date, according to JournalLive.

Rail union RMT claims the government rail officials are acting like “compulsive gamblers” by privatising the East Coast line again so soon after the failed National Express franchise was handed back to the government.