Tender launches for East Midlands Train franchise
The government has launched the tender process for a new franchise to operate the East Midlands Train service which connects Sheffield with London St Pancras.
Rail Minister Jo Johnson said the government was looking for the new franchise to offer intercity journeys, enhanced compensation for delays, more services and seats.The current Cross Country franchise is due to end late next year and the next operator is due to take over in August 2019.
He also announced a Stations Improvement Fund and £250,000 of annual funding for community rail partnerships.
The announcement comes at the same time the Department for Transport (DfT) launches a 12-week public consultation on the next franchise.
Johnson added that the onus was now on East Midlands franchise bidders to show how they could deliver an ambitious upgrade programme. He added: “We are investing in the biggest upgrade to the Midland Main Line since it was completed in 1870.
“We have listened carefully to what thousands of passengers and stakeholders have said they want to see in the next East Midlands franchise. We expect the next operator to unlock the unrealised potential while building on its stable foundations.”
The new East Midlands operator will also need to:
- increase the frequency of services across the franchise, including an additional train every hour between Corby to London
- provide more trains on a Sunday, with earlier starts and later finishes for many services throughout the week
- provide high quality wi-fi and mobile connectivity on trains
- improve seating and luggage on trains and enhanced facilities at stations
- provide enhanced delay repay compensation for journeys delayed by more than 15 minutes – compared to 30 minutes now
The public consultation on the franchise ran from July to October 2017 and generated nearly 2,500 responses.
Following the end of the new public consultation, details of what bidders for the new franchise will need to provide will be drawn up in the form of an invitation to tender.
