Franchise News

Today’s confirmation by the Department for Transport that Keolis SNCF West Coast is being invited to bid for the InterCity West Coast rail franchise was warmly welcomed by both companies. Alistair Gordon, chief executive of Keolis UK, said: ‘We are delighted to...

Passenger Focus today commented on the government’s announcement of the shortlisted bidders for the East Anglia and West Coast rail franchises. Ashwin Kumar, Passenger Focus rail director said: “Passenger Focus has asked passengers what they want from future rail franchises and...

The Department for Transport has announced the names of the companies shortlisted to bid for the new Greater Anglia and InterCity West Coast franchises. They are: For Greater Anglia: Abellio Greater Anglia Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen) Eastern Railway Limited (Go-Ahead Group PLC) Stagecoach Anglia Trains...

The Department for Transport took a tough line in negotiating with the owner of the InterCity East Coast franchise, National Express, before terminating the franchise agreement in 2009, according to the National Audit Office. The Department avoided disruption to...

Virgin Rail Group has announced it has successfully pre-qualified to bid for the new West Coast franchise which is expected to start in April 2012. Virgin has a proven track record over the last 14 years of providing better rail services for customers,...

Tunde Olatunji, Passenger Focus manager, said: “Today’s announcement confirming the two year extension of Southeastern’s franchise will be received with mixed feelings by those passengers who have seen a deterioration in performance, sharp fare increases and little or...

Go-Ahead Group formally announced today acceptance of the two year continuation of the Southeastern Integrated Kent Franchise offered by the Department for Transport. The franchise will run until March 2014. Charles Horton, managing director said: “We’re pleased that the current Southeastern...

Under the terms of the Integrated Kent Franchise Agreement, Govia (65% Go-Ahead/35% Keolis) has accepted continuation of the ‘Southeastern’ rail franchise. The Department of Transport formally offered the continuation after Southeastern met performance criteria set out in the franchise agreement....

The Observer has reported that FirstGroup is 'considering handing back the £1.1bn First Great Western rail contract three years ahead of schedule' because the 'economic downturn and delays in the introduction of the new generation of intercity trains threaten...

Grand Central Railway have reported that they are 'surprised and disappointed' by the Office of Rail Regulation’s announcement today that it must await a ‘full recast of the timetable’ before considering whether or not Open Access Operators can serve destinations...