Midland Mainline franchise to be run by joint team

The government has announced that a “joint team” will run the Midland Mainline service when the tender for the new franchise is published next year.

The route, which runs between London to Nottingham Sheffield is part of a ‘Strategic Vision for Rail’ announcedthis morning by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

Changes to the franchising system include introducing a joint team to run the East Midlands franchise following next year’s franchise competition.

Grayling said: “The last few years have seen massive growth on Britain’s railways. This industry has reversed decades of decline under British Rail, delivered new investment and new trains, and doubled the number of passengers.

“But now we need to build on that success by building a new model for the 2020s and beyond, one more able to deal with the huge rise in passenger numbers and the challenges of an increasingly congested network.

“Rail passengers deserve a more reliable, more efficient service – and I will deliver it by ending the one-size-fits-all approach of franchising and bringing closer together the best of the public and private sector.”