The Department for Transport announced that is seeking feedback and input on priorities for the next South Western rail franchise.
The purpose of the consultation is to explain the planned process and timescales for awarding the rail franchise, provide background information about the current franchised services and the strategic goals for the new franchise and to seek the views on the current franchise and options for the development of the specification for the invitation to tender.
The current South Western franchise, which is operated by Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited (part of Stagecoach Group), started in 2007 and is due to end in February 2017. Following the suspension of the franchise programme in October 2012, it was originally intended for a Direct Award franchise to be awarded to the incumbent operator for the period from 2017 to 2019. However in July 2015 the Department announced its intention to re-let the franchise through a competition. Whilst the current franchise expires in February 2017, there is the option available to the Secretary of State to extend by up to 7 reporting periods through to August 2017. It is currently intended that part of this extension will be called and that the current franchise will terminate in June 2017.
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