&sq=&lang=&file=File:Eastcoast_toc_logo.svg){kind=logo} | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:91_128_Kings_Cross(8077556150).jpg) Class 91 locomotive at London King's Cross in August 2012 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Franchise(s) | InterCity East Coast |
| Main region(s) | |
| Fleet size |
|
| Stations called at | 53 |
| Stations operated | 12 |
| Parent company | Directly Operated Railways |
| Reporting mark | GR |
| Dates of operation | 14 November 2009–28 February 2015 |
| Predecessor | National Express East Coast |
| Successor | Virgin Trains East Coast |
| Other | |
| Website | www.eastcoast.co.uk |
East Coast, the trading name of the East Coast Main Line Company,[1] was a British train operating company running the InterCity East Coast franchise on the East Coast Main Line between London, Yorkshire, North East England, and Scotland. East Coast ran long-distance inter-city services from its Central London terminus at London King's Cross on two primary routes; the first to Leeds and the second to Edinburgh via Newcastle with other services reaching into Yorkshire and Northern and Central Scotland. It commenced operations on 14 November 2009 and ceased on 28 February 2015.[2]
East Coast was a subsidiary of Directly Operated Railways, formed by the Department for Transport as an operator of last resort when National Express refused to provide further financial support to its National Express East Coast (NXEC) subsidiary and consequently lost its franchise.[3] The franchise was re-nationalised on 14 November 2009, with the day-to-day operations continuing normally on the whole. Within one year, East Coast's rolling stock begun to be re-liveried in a new silver scheme intentionally styled so that future operators of the franchise could easily apply their own branding following their takeover of operations. During May 2011, East Coast launched the "Eureka" programme, which involved numerous service changes, including an overhauled timetable and complimentary catering for First Class passengers. On the whole, service levels remained relatively steady and unchanged throughout East Coast's tenure.
From the onset of East Coast's operations, the Department for Transport had publicly stated its long term intention for the franchise was for it to be retendered and thus return to a private franchisee; this was originally set to occur by December 2013.[4] However, during March 2013, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that this transfer had been postponed to February 2015 instead.[5] In January 2014, FirstGroup, Keolis/Eurostar and Stagecoach/Virgin were announced as the shortlisted bidders for the new franchise.[6][7][8] The franchise passed to Virgin Trains East Coast on 1 March 2015.[9][10][11]
- ^ "Companies House extract company no 4659708". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "East Coast rail change confirmed". BBC News. 5 November 2009. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
- ^ "East Coast rail to be state-run". BBC News. 1 July 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
- ^ "National Express East Coast franchise" (Press release). Department for Transport. 1 July 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2009.
- ^ "Railway plan puts new focus on passengers" Archived 13 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine Secretary of State for Transport statement, 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Three bidders announced in competition for East Coast rail franchise". STV News. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ "East Coast rail shortlist revealed". BBC News. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018.
- ^ InterCity East Coast franchise shortlist announced Archived 20 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International, 17 January 2014.
- ^ More seats, more services and new trains for East Coast passengers Archived 5 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Department for Transport, 27 November 2014.
- ^ "Stagecoach and Virgin win East Coast mainline rail franchise". BBC News 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014.
- ^ 3.3bn premium wins East Coast franchise for Stagecoach and Virgin Archived 8 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International, 27 November 2014.