(25 Jan 2016, 10:57 am)Andreos1 wrote Apart from the ECML between York and Newcastle, there is very little competition.
North of Newcastle, VTEC and XC share the load.
With TPX getting an extension, I suppose you could argue there will be some competition up there in the future.
The Scotrail service along the Tyne Valley is just an extension of the Northern services and isn't really competition.
You could argue GC compete with Northern on the Durham Coast line.
Mind, when GC applied for their open-access routing, NX or GNER (can't remember who had it at the time), argued that the competition would down the ECML would harm their business.
However, when you look at who owns these toc's, there isn't much competition at all.
Northern (soon to be), XC and GC are all owned by Arriva/DB.
Obviously you have the Metro, which competes with Northern on the Newcastle - Sunderland line, which is operated by Arriva's parent company.
VTEC is Stagecoach/Virgin.
TPEX is First.
So despite there being some slight competition in some areas, 66% of the rail network in the NE will be Arriva/DB owned/operated from April onwards.
Though competition is one of the things about Privatisation, Train Paths on Very busy routes can affect how many operators can operate services with Network Rail and the DFT having the power to Truncate services at for example Derby instead of Sheffield.
In the Network Rail ECML RUS Document, It suggests that to get 3x VTEC and 2x TPE on the ECML by 2019, Would require the loss of the Plymouth XC Service between Leeds and Newcastle leaving only 1x Crosscountry service a hour between York and Newcastle ( The Reading Service ) Though if the remaining Freight Path between Northallerton and Newcastle is Compromised, Then the Plymouth XC can still run to Newcastle though will make XC loose competition ( Albeit both will HAVE to terminate at Central Station see below )
On the section between Newcastle and Edinburgh, By 2019 2x VTEC a Hour, 1x TPE and 1x Local or Semi Fast Path ( Proposed Scotrail Service ) a 1x class 4 or 6 Freight Path and the 1x Northern Morpeth Service can be accommodated
XC are not allowed to run through to Edinburgh and beyond by 2019 to make way for 2x VTEC and 1x TPE, XC will loose all competition on this Section.
And with 3x VTEC and 2x TPE confirmed between Newcastle and York, 1x XC will have to be lost from this section.
Be expected to hear this in the news in the next few years.
EDIT : on both sections 1x Open Access path is also included