South Western franchise
South Western is a
History
South West Trains
In December 1995, the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising awarded the franchise to South West Trains, a subsidiary of Stagecoach.[1][2] Operations started on 4 February 1996.[3]
In April 2001, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) awarded Stagecoach a new franchise after it beat bids from FirstGroup/NedRailways and Sea Containers.[4][5][6] The 2001 franchises awarded were (as promulgated) to run for 20 years, but in 2002 the SRA reduced the duration of franchises and South West Trains was awarded a three-year franchise starting on 1 February 2004.[7][8]
In December 2005, the
In March 2013, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the DfT were in talks with Stagecoach to extend the franchise until April 2019.[17] However, after failing to negotiate an extension, in July 2015 the DfT announced the franchise would be relet.[18][19][20]
South Western Railway
In February 2016, the DfT announced FirstGroup and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.[21][22] In June 2016, MTR took a 30% shareholding in the FirstGroup bid.[23][24]
In July 2016, the DfT issued the Invitation to Tender.[25][26] In March 2017, the DfT awarded the franchise to First/MTR owned South Western Railway (SWR) to commence on 20 August 2017. It will run until at least August 2024, with an option for the DfT to extend for a further year.[27][28]
In 2021, following COVID-19 emergency measures, the DfT gave SWR a direct award contract, replacing its franchise, until 28 May 2023.[29] In February 2023, this was further extended until 28 May 2025.[30]
References
- Rail Magazine. No. 269. 3 January 1996. p. 8.
- ^ "First three franchises let" Rail Privatisation News issue 21 11 January 1996 page 1
- ^ Wolmar, Christian (4 February 1996). "Puzzled private train spotters go for the 5.10 from Twickenham". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Re. South West Trains". Stagecoach Group (Press release). FE fundinfo. 2 April 2001. Retrieved 18 January 2021 – via Investegate.
- ^ "Stagecoach to keep SWT" Rail Business Intelligence issue 148 12 April 2001 page 6
- ^ "SWT retains franchise - and places Britain's biggest-ever train order". The Railway Magazine. No. 1202. June 2001. p. 8.
- Rail Magazine. No. 448. 13 November 2002. p. 4.
- ^ "Stagecoach Group signs new South West Trains deal". Stagecoach Group (Press release). 11 July 2003. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- Rail Magazine. No. 530. 4 January 2006. p. 9.
- ^ "Five prequlify for South Western". Today's Railways UK. No. 50. February 2006. p. 10.
- ^ South Western stakeholder briefing Department for Transport 4 April 2006
- Rail Magazine. No. 536. 29 March 2006. p. 16.
- Rail Magazine. No. 542. 21 June 2006. p. 12.
- ^ "Stagecoach wins railway franchise". BBC News. 22 September 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Davidson, Ros (22 September 2006). "Stagecoach wins South West Trains contract". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Stagecoach wins South Western franchise". Today's Railways UK. No. 59. November 2006. p. 8.
- ^ Railway plan puts new focus on passengers Secretary of State for Transport 26 March 2013
- ^ South West Trains franchise out to competition BBC News 7 July 2015
- ^ South West Trains to be refranchised Railway Gazette International 7 July 2015
- Rail Magazine. No. 779. 22 July 2015. p. 8.
- ^ Two companies shortlisted to compete for the next South Western rail franchise Department for Transport 4 February 2016
- ^ Stagecoach and FirstGroup shortlisted for South Western franchise Railway Gazette International 4 February 2016
- ^ MTR and First partner for South Western bid Rail 16 June 2016
- ^ MTR joins FirstGroup's bid for South Western rail franchise Railway Gazette International 16 June 2016
- ^ Better journeys on the way for rail passengers across the South Western network Department for Transport 4 July 2016
- ^ South Western invitation to tender issued Railway Gazette International 4 July 2016
- ^ FirstGroup and MTR welcome South Western rail franchise award London Stock Exchange 27 March 2017
- ^ First MTR joint venture wins South Western franchise Railway Gazette International 27 March 2017
- ^ "National Rail Contract South Western" (PDF). Department for Transport. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "South Western Railway contract extended". Rail News. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.