The Department for Transport has today (Thursday) announced the two train companies that have been shortlisted for the South Western franchise competition, after submitting an Expression of Interest.
The successful company will go on to run Island Line, which is included in the South Western Franchise, from June 2017.
The shortlisted bidders, who will now need to demonstrate how they will deliver better journeys for passengers, are First South Western Trains Limited and Stagecoach South West Limited.
Rail Minister Claire Perry has today said:
“The South Western franchise has some of the busiest routes in the country, serving a diverse range of passengers and places. It is vital that we have the best partner to help us meet the challenge of delivering better journeys for all customers using these services.
“We are investing in additional capacity, and have ambitious plans for smart ticketing, customer service and improved connectivity across the South Western network, to give passengers real benefits across the region and beyond.”
The current franchise is operated by South West Trains and covers urban, suburban, regional, and long-distance routes between London Waterloo, Reading, Bristol, Exeter, Weymouth, and Portsmouth. It also includes Island Line.
