2001-03-19 SRA boost for Isle of Wight (Strategic Rail Authority)

2002-11-12 Future for Island Line announced (Strategic Rail Authority)

2003-12-10 Island Line franchise signed (Strategic Rail Authority)

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date 21 May 2002
source Strategic Rail Authority
type Press release

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today announced that nine parties have
pre-qualified as bidders for the new Greater Anglia franchise, which will
operate all the regular services out of London Liverpool Street, as well as
local services within East Anglia.

The pre-qualified bidders are:

GB Railways Group Plc (incumbent of 'Anglia Railways' franchise)
Firstgroup plc (incumbent of 'First Great Eastern' franchise)
National Express Group (incumbent of 'West Anglia Great Northern'
franchise)
Arriva Trains Ltd
Connex Transport UK Ltd
Great North Eastern Railway Ltd
GOVIA (The Go Ahead Group plc and Keolis SA)
NS/Dutch Railways
Virgin Rail Group Ltd

SRA Chairman Richard Bowker said,

"This impressive field of bidders for the new Greater Anglia franchise clearly
demonstrates the importance and future potential of the railways to this
rapidly growing part of the country. The strength of the field also indicates that
the industry supports our proposals for a single franchise serving the region.
This reinforces our belief that the new franchise will deliver an improved level
of service for passengers".

The SRA is currently consulting key regional stakeholders including local
government and passenger representatives, about their aspirations and
priorities for the franchise. This is the first stage of a dialogue which will
continue alongside the franchise replacement process. Formal bidding will
begin in Summer 2002, with the intention of signing a Franchise Agreement
with the successful bidder in Summer 2003.

Notes to Editors

1. Greater Anglia will combine the Anglia Railways services, First Great
Eastern services and the West Anglia (Liverpool Street) services, including
Stansted Express, from the WAGN franchise. The new franchise will provide
for operational and passenger service benefits through combining all
Liverpool Street services, but the successful operator will also be required to
provide a separate management focus for local East Anglia services.
2. All three current franchises (Anglia Railways, First Great Eastern and West
Anglia) are due to expire on 31 March 2004.
3. Great Northern services which are currently part of the WAGN franchise will
become part of a new Thameslink franchise.

Railhub Archive ::: 2002-05-21 SRA-001