11.06.14
London Midland awarded six-month franchise extension
London Midland has got confirmation from the Department for Transport (DfT) that its franchise has been extended by six months.
The Govia-owned train operating company, which operates the West Midlands franchise, will keep the contract until March 2016.
A DfT spokesman stated that the process of awarding a contract beyond the extension had not begun. He added: “We want the new London Midland franchise to deliver improved benefits and services for customers, like those we have already successfully secured in the recent Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) competition last month.
“The first part of this process involves making use of the planned six month extension option built into the existing contract. During this time we will be working closely with the company to ensure they continue to improve the service they provide to passengers.”
Earlier this year, London Midland announced it would cut about 150 head office and support staff jobs as part of a ‘restructuring’ plan.
A spokeswoman for the TOC stated that London Midland was delighted to have received confirmation from the DfT that a six-month extension to its franchise has been awarded.
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