Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the scope and purpose of the deep alliance between the new Thameslink franchise and Network Rail.
The franchisee of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise, which is Govia Thameslink Railway Limited (GTR), will work closely with Network Rail to facilitate the Government’s multi-billion pound investment in the rail network in the South East through the Thameslink programme.
There is no ‘deep alliance’ between the two organisations. However, in accordance with the TSGN Franchise Agreement, the franchisee shall use all reasonable endeavours to develop an alliance framework agreement with Network Rail. The purpose of this agreement is to provide for closer working between GTR and Network Rail with the specific, stated goals of creating a joint performance management strategy; improving journey times and capacity; and driving fleet efficiency among others.