JFRail was selected by GTS to partner with them on bidding for the Elizabeth Line in April 2024. One of the main areas of focus for the JFRail team on the bid was the development of an integrated Operational Systems solution for the Elizabeth Line, which currently has a lot of disparate systems that lack interfaces and automation to support workflows in the organisation. The objective of the solution was to deliver cost savings on existing systems and performance benefits (avoiding penalties), which would secure the right integrated solution with additional benefits identified.
The JFRail team completed an as-is assessment of the Elizabeth Line systems using a light-touch review process and developed a base solution for each department, including Train Planning, Resourcing (for Stations and Train Crew), On-the-Day Management in the Control, and Performance Outputs, including providing a company-integrated logging solution.
JFRail ran a mini-tender, comparing and contrasting the different systems that offered an integrated solution. The team also prepared a business case analysis of the capabilities of the systems and developed this into a central bid initiative for the Elizabeth Line. Following the mini-tender process, the preferential solution was determined. There was a strong business case from a cost perspective (net present value of £2.4 million) and significant performance benefits from implementing the system. We also negotiated and agreed the requirements set and the delivery time for the system, which was determined as a two-year deployment of the complete suite.
The JFRail team was re-engaged once the Elizabeth Line bid was won to lead the mobilisation of the new operator, which included a full detailed systems review and a set of recommendations to the GTS Board for progressing the systems strategy. Following a detailed landscape assessment, it became apparent that the number of systems and supporting architecture was significantly different from that disclosed at the bidding stage, showing a net negative position of approximately £340,000 per annum compared to the bid over a full year. The JFRail team was asked to explore options to remove this deficit and developed a further business case to accelerate the new Operational Solution by six months, safely removing some of the front-end mobilisation while protecting the implementation time. The review consequently saved approximately £254,000 in additional costs through systems savings and additional performance benefits. The GTS Board has authorised this change to their strategy.
This also shows that the JFRail team have delivered additional value of £254,000 from their review and also has strong capabilities in developing the initial business case of £2.4 million.
