Re: National Express get ECML

quote
Wind power to run the railways
http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/chroniclelive/eveningchronicle/tm_headline=wind-power-to-run-the-railways%26method=full%26objectid=19634200%26siteid=50081-name_page.html

Aug 15 2007

by Nick Whitten, Evening Chronicle

WIND turbines could soon power North East railway stations after
National Express was chosen to run the route linking the region with
London and Scotland.
The transport giant beat off the challenge of three other bidders to
run the East Coast mainline franchise.
The group has vowed to introduce a more environmentally-friendly
service, including cutting fuel consumption per passenger and creating
new green stations powered by wind.
Chris Stokes, head of rail bidding at National Express, said: "In some
cases we are looking to introduce wind turbines at stations in order
to provide electricity. However, that is more likely to be at smaller
stations as opposed to the likes of Newcastle."
National Express, which will replace GNER, will have to pay the
Government £1.4 billion during the life of its franchise which will
start in December and run until March, 2015.
Around one billion journeys a year are made worldwide on National
Express Group's bus, train, light rail and express coach and airport
operations in the UK, Spain and North America. Other rail services it
runs in the UK include Midland Mainline, Central Trains, c2c and a 40%
share in Eurostar.
Fares will go up on the new East Coast mainline service with
unregulated fares, generally off-peak tickets, expected to rise by an
average of 2.1% above inflation each year while standard fares will go
up by RPI plus 1%.
But similar increases have been seen on other recently awarded
franchises because the Government has cut rail subsidies, shifting the
brunt of the cost from taxpayers to passengers.
National Express says the increases will allow them to improve
services. Mr Stokes, added: "We have introduced thoughtful pricing.
Partly it will be used to help us meet the premium we will be paying
to the Government and partly to help us have more passengers using the
service.
"We will be improving lighting at stations, increasing security and
adding new CCTV.
"There will be new ticket machines, improved waiting rooms and more
car parking."
Electronic information points will be put in at Newcastle and Durham
alongside mobile phone real-time travel information.
A new website will be introduced while smartcard technology similar to
that in London will be in use by 2010. Passengers will be able to
print tickets at home and buy m-tickets via their mobile phones.
Free WiFi internet service will be extended to the whole of trains,
not just first class while an updated onboard food menu will be
available to passengers through an at-seat service.
But Guy Dangerfield, North East manager for rail watchdog Passenger
Focus, said: "While we welcome transparency from the Government that
unregulated fares are likely to rise by 2.1% above the rate of
inflation each year, we are concerned at current inflation rates. This
could amount to a 45% price rise over the length of the franchise.
"Passengers now have certainty about the future of the service. We
hope to see National Express building on the standards delivered by
GNER."
Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "I don't buy this idea that people are
being priced off the railways. More and more people are choosing to
use the railways because we do have an improving system."
The North East Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new franchise holder.
And Rebekah Gaze, transport policy adviser, said: "The East Coast
mainline has been in limbo for more than a year while we awaited the
decision on who would take over. We are delighted that this period of
treading water has come to an end."
unquote

Wind power as opposed to hot air I presume.


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