FCP were Arriva's principal advisers in their award of the new Cross Country franchise.

“We have secured an excellent deal with Arriva. Not only are they delivering an even bigger increase in capacity than we asked for, they are doing it a year earlier than expected.”

Tom Harris, Minister of State, UK Government

Franchise Bids and Mobilisation

One of the major commercial opportunities in the rail sector is the concessioning of parts of the passenger network through competitive procurement led either by central or regional government authorities. These are now commonplace throughout much of the world and especially in the European Union. The UK has set the pace and now has a record stretching back over a decade.

First Class Partnerships has a significant record on both sides of the concessioning interface. As a result we have developed a unique understanding of what is required to develop successful pre-qualifications and bids. We are able to manage an entire franchise bidding strategy and programme involving bid leadership, the development of vision statements, strategic objectives, and operational plans including demand analysis, revenue and financial modelling. We can plan franchise mobilisation strategies as a part of the overall project management of a bid including production of all bid documents, editing, printing and publication - all crucial to a successful outcome.

First Class Partnerships has worked for three major bidders in the UK, as well as three in the European Union. Some of the bids have been successful and all have achieved short listing.

First Class Partnerships provides strategic, commercial, operations, engineering and infrastructure rail consultancy and advice to leading rail companies, investors in rail, governments and regulators around the globe.