Bidders for the West Midlands franchise will be required to deliver hundreds of extra services, new ticketing options and much increased capacity under plans announced by Rail Minister Paul Maynard. The publication of the invitation to tender details the minimum level of improvements bidders hoping to secure the next franchise will need to include in their detailed proposals.
Bidders for the West Midlands franchise have until 29 November 2016 to submit their bids, with the new operator planned to take over the franchise in October 2017.
The shortlisted bidders for the franchise are:
– London and West Midlands Railway Limited, a subsidiary of Govia Limited (a joint venture between Keolis and Go-Ahead Group)
– West Midlands Trains Limited, currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Abellio Transport Group Limited with East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Limited as minority partners.
The extra services will include: space for more than 20,000 additional passengers to travel into London and Birmingham in the morning peak hours; more than 300 extra Sunday services across the franchise by 2021; more evening services; free Wi-Fi on all main line services by the end of 2019; new ticket options for part time travelers.
Share on:
