Franchise News

Expressions of interest in running the new Thameslink, Essex Thameside and Great Western rail franchises have been invited by the Department of Transport. The Thameside and Great Western franchises will run for 15 years, starting in May 2013 and April...

Rail passengers in the Thames Valley, the South West and South Wales are being asked for their views on how their rail services should be run, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers has announced. A consultation launched yesterday will give passengers, local...

MTR has welcomed the start of the franchise bidding process for the Thameslink and Essex Thameside routes. The Department for Transport (DfT) published the Pre Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) for both franchises on Monday, and MTR will be submitting responses to...

Renfe, Spain's national rail company, has said that it plans to submit bids for all the UK rail franchises that are due to come up for tender over the coming months. These include 'prestigious' franchises such as East Coast and...

Virgin Trains plans to add thousands more seats to its award-winning services during next year following today’s announcement of an eight-month extension to its West Coast franchise. Virgin Rail Group (VRG), which operates Virgin Trains, has signed an agreement with...

Passengers using the busy West Coast Main Line are set to benefit from extra carriages and more seats from April next year Rail Minister Theresa Villiers has announced, after the Government signed an extension to Virgin Trains' existing contract...

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that as part of the franchise award to Abellio of the Greater Anglia national rail service Oyster pay as you go acceptance will be extended to key stations along the line. This includes: Theobalds...

Abellio Greater Anglia Limited has been chosen as the new operator for the 'Greater Anglia' franchise which is currently operated by National Express East Anglia and stretches across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. The franchise is due to start in February...

In response to the Government’s announcement on rail franchising, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies said: “The next few years present a chance to improve fundamentally how the railways are run. On the right terms,...

The Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond said: 'The Government is committed to a major reform of rail franchising that will benefit passengers and taxpayers alike. In preparing our policies we have paid careful attention to the views the rail industry,...