Thameslink commuters face future delays
The government recently announced the awarding of preferred bidder status for Thameslink's new trains to Siemens, which may well have seemed welcome news to those who remember delays in previous Bombardier delivery.
BUT it looks likely that this decision will mean future delays for Thameslink commuters because, despite the wording "proven technology" being in the tender (I imagine to reduce possible problems), Siemens have been given the go ahead to get the contract WITHOUT having suitable bogies (the bit under the carriages). Bombardier has a tried and tested lightweight bogie ideal for the track. It will take Siemens a long time to finish developing their bogie and then more time to get a prototype tested and approved.
Transport Minister Hammond claims that it is a done deal but he is sadly misinformed - EU procurement rules were broken when the incorrect tendering procedure was used, Siemens has a lamentable track record of corruption across the globe that breaks guidelines on suitable contractors and it does not have proven technology, so Thameslink commuters will be delayed by the government sticking to this decision.
It is already subject to investigation by the National Audit office which won't report until October and is likely to be taken to judicial review by Bombardier.
Why is the government acting against the best interests of those who travel on Thameslink - well, they do seem keen to score political points against Labour who did set up the incorrect tendering procedure and blame them for the whole fiasco - after all, that is such a grown up and mature approach to a serious issue.
So the Transport Minister is failing the people who pay for Thameslink tickets, he is failing the tax payers who are going to bear the cost of Siemens delaying delivery as well as bearing the cost of higher unemployment in the UK and he is failing to live up to the promise made earlier this year to support British manufacturing