16.04.14
DfT confirms 27-month direct award for Abellio Greater Anglia
Abellio Greater Anglia will run services in the east of England for another 27 months after reaching a fresh franchise agreement with the DfT.
It promised more off-peak services, more Cambrdige-Stansted Airport trains, refurbishments to the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) stock, and work to stop sewage being dumped from toilets directly onto the tracks.
The original direct award was announced in March 2013, but the details have now been confirmed and signed off.
The process of picking the next franchisee begins in March next year, with the invitation to tender to shortlisted bidders issued in August 2015, and the winner to run services starting from October 2016.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This deal means real improvements for passengers on the Greater Anglia network. It means more services and better-equipped trains, including international connections via Stansted Airport to the rest of Europe that the region needs.
“This agreement is further proof that the government’s new franchising schedule is on track, is delivering value for money for the tax payer, and is supporting the ongoing multi-billion pound investment programme in our railways.”
The TOC’s deputy managing director and finance director Julian Edwards said: “Today’s announcement of a further important suite of service enhancements for passengers adds to the steady flow of improvements delivered since Abellio started operating the franchise. The DfT is to be congratulated on the tough yet fair approach it brought to the direct award negotiations.”
The DfT said the agreement “helps meet the aims” of the ‘Norwich in Ninety’ taskforce.
(Image copyright The Photo Exchange, used here under a Creative Commons licence)
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