Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain

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Thameslink – were paused pending the outcome of the Brown review. It was published in January 2013, and concluded there were no fundamental flaws in the system, but made 11 recommendations on how it could be improved. One recommendation was to spread out the re-franchising schedule to avoid bunching, which the government acted upon in committing to holding no more than four competitions per year, and staggering the East and West coast awards. Another of Brown's recommendations was the breaking up of the standard franchise period into two terms: an initial term of between 7 and 10 years, followed by an automatic extension of a further 3 to 5 years, should performance criteria have been met (but also possibly being granted if they weren't, to dissuade abuse by under-performing TOCs). It also recommended further transfer of powers to local and devolved administrations.

1812:. OPRAF was initially criticised for taking too long, but answered that most of the delays were outside of their control, and were indeed caused by the government itself. The first four franchise competitions only attracted four bidders each, well below government expectations, although competition increased as the program went on and investors gained more surety over the way the system was to operate as a whole. Ultimately, although there were 25 franchises, the eventual buyers came from only 13 different companies. Many were bus companies, with the hoped-for interest from airlines and shipping groups failing to be converted into solid bids. In addition, despite several bids, due to difficulties in raising finance, only three bids from management buyout groups had been successful. 1982:

extensions would be permitted if Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were met. It also changed the approach to risks in costs and revenues, and introduced incentive payments for performance and long term investment. The changes took effect after the awards for the Transpennine and Wales & Borders franchises, which were already too advanced. The tendering process was also simplified, giving more details up front in order to speed up the process and make bid assessment more robust. Through the use of tactical short-term extensions, the SRA planned to achieve the changes in franchise redesign and smooth out the timetable for re-franchising, aiming for two or three awards per year.

2482: 2083: 2441:, there was criticism of the SRA for failing to ensure the Cross Country and West Coast franchises transitioned from subsidised to premium-paying franchises. This had been anticipated in the initial 15-year franchise agreement that ran from 1997 to 2012; but depended on Railtrack delivering the upgrade on time. Instead, the delays meant the contracts had to be renegotiated early as management contracts, and continued to be subsidised for several years until they could be re-let, which was seen as a cost to the public purse, adding millions to the billions run up in over-spend on the upgrade itself. 2445:

Similarly, Cross Country would be supported until March 2004, and then by a 1% fee if not renegotiated, but with the option of the SRA putting it out to tender. Unhappy with Virgin's proposal for terms of the remainder of the original 15-year Cross Country franchise, the SRA terminated negotiations on 6 August 2004 and the temporary arrangements continued until the franchise was re-let in a revised form, announced in October 2005. Although Virgin was shortlisted as a bidder for this revised franchise, it lost out to Arriva, who took over as the new franchisee from 11 November 2007.

1950:(SRA), whose functions would absorb the responsibilities of the Franchising Director, as well as some duties previously performed by the Rail Regulator and the Department of Transport's Railways Directorate. Since this would take time as it involved legislation, in the meantime the SRA was established in 'shadow' form, in June 1999. Part of their brief was to ensure the railways operated as "a coherent network, not merely a collection of different franchises". Their goals were closely aligned with the government's wider objectives, set out in July 2000 as the ten-year plan, 1939: 2064: 2140:(CMA) launched a policy review to determine if there were opportunities to improve the current system outside the established areas of competition, namely the bidding process and the open access operators. In July 2015 it identified four possible areas for reform: an increased role for open access operators, having two successful bidders for each franchise, having more overlapping franchises and having multiple operators with licences on each route. The regulator (by then renamed the 22: 1711: 2500: 2156:, on 23 March 2020 the UK government took emergency measures which suspended all passenger rail franchise agreements for six months. Passenger numbers had already dropped by 70% by that date, leading to a significant drop in the income of the operating companies, which responded by cancelling and reconfiguring services. The government agreed with the companies that passengers holding advance tickets would be able to get a full refund. 1690: 2347:

ability to create a monopoly situation in practice, even though they may control large areas of services). Where a concern is found to be significant, it is often resolved through the operators agreeing to certain undertakings designed to prevent the monopoly situation occurring, although in some cases investigations will conclude there is no alternative but to block the proposed contract.

161:). Franchisees also pay for light maintenance of stock, with heavy work being done as part of the ROSCO lease. The main revenue stream is from fares, supplemented by the franchise subsidy in cases where there is a shortfall. In addition, franchisees are allowed to sub-let commercial units directly in leased stations. 2117:

expectations of future performance based on its past record. If a reasonable contract cannot be drawn up through negotiation, the franchise is then re-let as normal. In the following few years, most franchises were renewed as Direct Awards, in part to achieve the smoothing-out of the schedule recommended by Brown.

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extended the standard franchise term to between 15 and 22.5 years (with shorter terms where expedient), ending the Cap and Collar approach to risk which provided for risk-sharing with government regarding future demand, and introducing profit sharing and review points. The new system, to be applied first with the

70:, but on 21 September 2020 permanently abolished the rail franchising policy. Emergency arrangements (which effectively convert the franchises into concessions) remain until it legislates for a replacement to the system, likely to be a permanent concession system as is already in place in some urban areas. 144:

In contrast to earlier bail-outs, following the 2004 changes in approach to cost/revenue risk, unless there are exceptional circumstances, the DfT's policy toward failing franchises is not to rescue them with further financial assistance. Instead, DfT will hold them to the agreement and terminate the

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The SRA began to doubt its new long-term strategy as it failed to negotiate a 20-year franchise for the East Coast due to uncertainty over Railtack's ability to finance planned upgrades, and abandoned bidding negotiations in July 2001 after 21 months. Instead it elected for a short 2-year extension,

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In 2000 the shadow SRA announced plans to use the re-franchising of the 18 shorter term (7-year) franchises expiring by 2004 to make various changes aimed at improving service grouping and lengthening franchises, with the aim of making them more robust and better able to invest in services. It aimed

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TOC in March 2015. By June 2017 VTEC, like GNER and NXEC before it, had run into financial trouble, with Stagecoach attempting to renegotiate the terms of the contract. In May 2018 it was announced that the franchise would return to state ownership again, with services duly transferring to the new,

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bid, also took a less prescriptive approach to service specification and introduced measures to tackle crowding and changes to the way quality measurement was approached. Because of the increased future risks carried by operators, the government required a large financial surety to discourage early

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elected in May 2010 paused re-franchising pending a review, which was published in January 2011. As a result, they reformed the system further to increase operators' flexibility, with greater incentives for cost reduction by operators, and franchise terms dealt with on a case-by-case approach. They

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In the end, most of the franchises were awarded for lengths from 7 to 7 and a half years. Only seven franchises were longer – two for 10 years (Great Western and Midland Mainline), and five for 15 years (LTS, Gatwick Express, South Eastern, Cross Country and West Coast). Only one was shorter, the 5

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Many investigations are cancelled without conclusion, simply because the concerning situation does not arise (i.e. a different company wins the bid). Investigations are also often closed with no action, after it is found there is little concern (such as in cases where the operator has little-to-no

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Under the original 1993 legislation, the Franchise Director set out the minimum service levels of a franchise in a Passenger Service Requirement (PSR), being the current BR timetable in the case of the first sell-offs, and put this out to competitive tender. Winning bidders were decided on a pure

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watchdog. At the end of this process, a formal Invitation To Tender (ITT) setting out the detailed terms of the proposed franchise agreement is sent to the three to five prospective bidders who have been identified as pre-qualified. ITT's may include a range of variations for consideration by the

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Some commentators have criticised the re-franchising deals by comparing the performance of the private-sector franchisees unfavourably with the public-sector operators. Advocates of the franchising system contrast public-sector operations with commercial operators, citing their ability to invest

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On 20 September 2020, the first set of EMAs expired. They were replaced in most cases by Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs) with durations of between six and 18 months; under these the Department for Transport (DfT) continued to receive the revenue and pay most of the train operating

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Under the Emergency Measure Agreements (EMA), which were backdated to 1 March, the normal financial mechanisms of the franchise agreements were suspended so that operating companies would not get into financial difficulty. All revenue would be paid to the government, who would pay the operators'

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By 2007 the Labour government was happy with how the franchise system was leading to improvements in customer satisfaction and better trains, crediting TOC's use of their freedoms under the system to deliver passenger growth. The 2008 recession sparked fears over franchisees' ability to survive,

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TOC. By early 2009, NXEC had itself run into financial difficulties due to the recession; after the government refused to renegotiate the terms of National Express's contract, it was announced in July 2009 that the franchise would return to state ownership. Services duly transferred to the new,

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franchise, which was being re-tendered at the time. First had already been rejected for the shortlist of three bidders, which included the incumbent. Responding to media criticism that he had been "outmanoeuvred" by First, the head of the SRA argued that he could not decide who would become a

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By the end of 2002, the SRA had also changed its policy on Franchising Agreements to introduce various other performance criteria in addition to keeping to the PSR, aimed at raising the overall quality of passenger journeys. Franchise lengths would be kept to between five and eight years, but

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The Treasury had initially envisaged franchises to be around 3 years long, to promote sustained competition, however as it became clear that potential buyers were not interested in such short terms, it was announced in 1995 that franchises would be around 5 to 7 years long, or longer if major

2343:(CMA)), if it is deemed there is a concern that market dominance might result in a monopoly. This can also be triggered when there is an overlap between train and bus services in a particular area or corridor (most bus and coach services in Great Britain having been privatised in the 1980s). 2112:

of the wider franchise system. The Laidlaw report was published in December 2012, and found the DfT to be primarily responsible for the West Coast failure, having made several errors in its financial modelling. All three outstanding franchise competitions – Great Western, Essex Thameside and

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The initial management contracts came into effect on 22 July 2002, and were to see the West Coast franchise supported by the SRA until March 2003, and if agreement on a new franchise terms was not reached by then, the management contract would continue, in return for a fee of 2% of revenue.

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The West Coast controversy led to the introduction of the Direct Award concept, whereby the government can award a franchise that is up for renewal directly to the incumbent rather than through a tendering process, but only if the operator's proposed terms match the government's projected

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which separated railway infrastructure from train service operation and contracted out passenger services to seven-year franchises. This scheme formed the basis of the system which was implemented, which saw the creation of 25 shadow franchises, to be sold off in a process managed by the

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cost basis – those who offered to pay the highest premium, or receive lowest subsidy, would run the franchise. Once signed, franchise agreements could only be terminated under certain conditions, namely not meeting the PSR, although fines were available as an intermediate step.

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They then underwent further reorganisation in preparation for franchising, being split up into 25 train operating units (TOUs) that were gradually incorporated as separate businesses. These operated as 'shadow franchises' that negotiated contracts individually with regulators,

54:(TOCs) through a process of competitive tendering. Franchises usually lasted for a minimum of seven years and covered a defined geographic area or service type; by design, franchises were not awarded on an exclusive basis, and day-to-day competition with other franchises and 2024:. The 2005 Act also gave local and devolved administrations the ability to alter fares up or down, provided they funded the extra cost, or used the savings on other transport modes. In a move designed to make them accountable for their decisions in this new role, English 746:

instead. Concession holders are paid a fee to run the service, which is usually tightly specified by the awarding authority. They do not take commercial risk, although there are usually penalties and rewards specified in the contract for large variations in performance.

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Created from RR unit on privatisation. Won by MTL. Express services were transferred to new TransPennine Express (1 February 2004); remaining services amalgamated with North West Regional Railways franchise to form the new Northern franchise (12 December 2004).

2405:, should be allowed to tender for rail franchises on a permanent basis. They highlight the fact that many of the current rail franchise holders are actually joint ventures involving subsidiary companies of the state-owned railways of other countries, such as 1407:

on 28 September 2003. Express services transferred to the new TransPennine Express franchise on 1 February 2004. Remaining services amalgamated with those of the Regional Railways North East franchise to form the new Northern franchise (12 December 2004).

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In 2012 the franchising system essentially collapsed in the wake of the West Coast controversy (see below). As a result of the crisis, the government commissioned two inquiries, an inquiry to look into the cause of the West Coast failure, undertaken by

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franchise early, and then run the franchise directly as an operator of last resort (OOLR), pending a re-tendering. Agreements also contain a cross-default clause, which allows other franchises also held by the company or an affiliate to be terminated.

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preferred bidder based on what might happen in future regarding mergers and acquisitions. The purchase went through, but GB was unsuccessful in winning the Anglia franchise, as well as two others it was bidding for (Northern and Wales & Borders).

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In 2014, the DfT was re-organised, with responsibility for rail franchising becoming part of the new Office of Rail Passenger Services's remit under an externally recruited chief, the ORPS itself being part of a new Rail Executive within the DfT.

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was possible, albeit occurring on a limited number of services. Over the years, the system evolved, most notably reducing the initial 25 franchises to 17 through a series of mergers. Seven franchises are currently in public ownership under the

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Whenever there is a possibility through the franchising process for multiple franchises to come into the common ownership of a larger transport group, these can lead to referrals to the competition authorities for investigation (currently the

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investment was required. The first franchise agreements to be signed were for the South West and Great Western franchises, on 19 and 20 December 1995 respectively. The first passenger train service operated by a privatised franchise was the

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reversed this decision after significant technical flaws had been revealed in the way the franchise process was conducted. Virgin Trains was given a temporary management contract to run the franchise until a fresh competition could be run.

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prospective bidder, who may also submit variations themselves. The franchise is awarded to the bid which is deemed most viable, and which offers the best value and reliability. If relevant, bidders' past performance is also considered.

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Rail franchise holders in Great Britain accept commercial risk, although there are clauses in newer franchises which offer some compensation for lower-than-expected revenue (and also claw back some excess profits, should these occur).

1258:. Rebranded to c2c and sold to National Express in July 2000. Two year extension (26 May 2011). Two year direct award (26 May 2013). Extension option (September 2014). Renamed as Essex Thameside franchise on 10 November 2014. 132:

Prior to formally tendering a specific franchise, the DfT publishes a Prior Information Notice (PIN) outlining the basic details, and opens a consultation with relevant transport authorities, devolved administrations and the

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In response to continuing criticism, changes in how franchises were agreed and monitored continued; by 2010 agreements contained penalties for failure to increase reliability, and the number of KPIs had been reduced.

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were no longer direct parties to franchise agreements, instead gaining a role in long-term planning and a statutory right to consultation over franchises in their areas. In London, the Act required the DfT to consult

3536: 2398:, the public sector cannot bid for rail franchises in Great Britain, although some rail franchises in the past have been taken on temporarily by a state-owned operation following an unsuccessful private franchise. 2606:

subsidiary, the South Central TOC was sold to Govia in 2001 as a way of terminating their involvement early and cutting their losses. In November 2003, Connex was stripped of its only other UK rail operation, the

4694: 3335: 2175:. This would see all aspects of the service set by a new public body, with each operation run by a private company who would receive a fee under a management contract. In May 2021, the public body was named as 1978:

hoping the situation would be clearer by then. Short-term extensions were also to be considered for other 7-year franchise renegotiations facing similar issues, which had not yet reached a finalised agreement.

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on any franchise with services to, from or within London. In July 2007, these powers were extended, with measures designed to protect those outside London, with the DfT as the arbiter of disputes.

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Rail Passengers in Great Britain from 1829–2021, showing the early era of small railway companies, the amalgamation into the "Big Four", nationalisation and finally the current era of privatisation

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Following the pause for the Brown report, the system resumed in 2013; the DfT published a revised timetable in March 2013, with the first tender being concluded in May, the direct award for the

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to have these proposals agreed by Autumn 2001, and published a timetable for the letting of 9 franchises in three tranches. These long-term plans were disrupted in 2001/2 by the impact of the

3282: 3231: 3752: 1781:, which specified service levels and public subsidies that were to be paid to operators. The legislation allowed BR to bid for franchises, if the DPRF agreed, but in practice he never did. 3890: 2163:

In September, the government extended the EMAs by 18 months and announced plans to end the system of rail franchising, instead moving to a concession-based model, as already operated by

2901: 1109:. Stagecoach acquired 49% of VRG in October 1998. Renegotiated as a rolling year-on-year management contract (July 2002). Continued until expiry after failure to renegotiate franchise. 157:

The main costs incurred by franchisees are track access charges (paid to Network Rail); other significant costs come from staffing, leasing stations (from NR) and rolling stock (from

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Some critics of the franchising system have suggested that state-owned organisations, such as the Government-owned holding company set up to take temporary ownership of franchises,

4221: 3014: 3368: 1055:. GB Railways was acquired by FirstGroup on 14 August 2003. Amalgamated with the Great Eastern franchise and part of the West Anglia Great Northern franchise to form the new 1946:

The Labour government elected in 1997 chose not to reverse the privatisation process, although they set out a number of reform proposals, including the setting up of a new

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Incorporated into the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise, in anticipation of the merger of the South Central franchise. New franchise retaining both

5200: 2656: 1615:(13 October 1996). Prism Rail acquired by National Express (18 July 2000). Amalgamated with the Wales part of the South Wales & West franchise to form the new 3558: 1374:

concession; rest of franchise amalgamated with the West Midlands part of the Central Trains franchise to form the new West Midlands franchise (11 November 2007).

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TOC since 1996, was stripped of its contract six years before it would have expired, due to financial difficulties. The franchise was re-tendered and awarded to

1204:. Stagecoach acquire 49% stake in October 1998. Renegotiated as a management contract (22 July 2002). Subsequently subject to various Direct Awards. Replaced by 2957: 5415: 4077: 2620: 4746: 1480:

Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Split in two, with part of it going to new Wales & Borders franchise. Remainder forming new Wessex franchise.

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to private companies, which has been in effect since 1996 and was greatly altered in 2020, with rail franchising being effectively abolished in May 2021.

5355: 5275: 1519: 1514: 5395: 3809: 1316:(28 April 1996). Amalgamated with the East Midlands part of the Central Trains franchise to form the new East Midlands franchise (11 November 2007). 417: 98: 3743: 2242: 4274: 5410: 3435: 2641: 2532:

in August 2007; GNER continued to operate the franchise on a management contract basis until December 2007, when services transferred to the new

2219: 1534:. Amalgamated with the remainder of the West Anglia Great Northern franchise to form the new Thameslink Great Northern franchise (1 April 2006). 1341:. Amalgamated with Thameslink & Great Northern franchise to form the new Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise (25 July 2015). 390: 334: 3881: 3520: 5193: 3203: 3132: 3457: 4299: 2683: 2214:

franchise was extended to October 2023 under a direct award agreement. Commercial arrangements for all three are consistent with the ERMAs.

4873: 2651: 3677: 3641: 2283:' contract was not renewed after customer complaints of poor service and a high number of train cancellations. Operator of last resort 914: 3615: 2719: 5186: 3360: 3149: 2615:

franchise, eight years before it would have expired, due to poor financial management. It was replaced by a new, publicly owned TOC,

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In 2012 the franchising system ran into some difficulty; the Department for Transport awarded the InterCity West Coast franchise to

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abolished the SRA and transferred the responsibility for franchises in England and Wales directly to the government through the

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concluded that the rail franchising model was "no longer fit for purpose" and was failing passengers, and recommended that the

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GB rail subsidy 1985–2019 in 2018 prices, showing a short decline after privatisation, followed by a steep rise following the

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set the maximum length of a rail franchise at 22.5 years: 15 years initially, with a 50% extension in certain circumstances.

1899: 1153:. Amalgamated with the Anglia franchise and the West Anglia part of the West Anglia Great Northern franchise to form the new 74: 1130:

Created from InterCity unit on privatisation. Merged into the South Central franchise (being retained as a separate brand).

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Two-year-extension-for-Virgin-Rail-after-West-Coast-chaos.html "Two-year extension for Virgin Rail after West Coast chaos"

4375: 3398: 3068: 1748:, and the first franchises came into effect in 1996. Prior to this, the railway system had been owned and operated by the 5071: 4497: 4419: 3484: 2636: 1985:

In February 2002, the Chiltern franchise became the first to be awarded for a 20-year duration, the winning bidder being

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Formed from the West Country part of the South Wales & West franchise. Retained by National Express, now trading as

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The new government also confirmed that they would continue with the previous Conservative government's plans to set up

2137: 105:(DfT), who design the boundaries and terms of service, and award contracts to the train operating companies. Under the 5360: 4498:"Inter City Railways / InterCity East Coast franchise merger inquiry Competition and Markets Authority case – GOV.UK" 4054: 3726: 3687: 3653: 2693: 2417:

private capital into the franchises, financial returns to the Treasury and customer incentives such as free on-board

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The Government initially suspended rail franchising in order to maintain service as passenger demand fell due to the

5172: 4351: 1926:, were a minority partner in GWH. Their March 1998 buyout of the other GWH partners increased their total to three. 2590:

In October 2000, after passenger complaints, the SRA announced that Connex would be losing its contract to run the

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is a train operating company that is not subject to franchising or concessions, but instead purchases individual

40: 4989:"Virgin awarded another extension to West Coast Main Line franchise as Essex Thameside award is further delayed" 3783: 2218:

In a further move away from franchising, in December DfT agreed a directly awarded National Rail Contract with

1588:, owned by FirstGroup (1 April 2004). Amalgamated with the Great Western and Wessex franchises to form the new 954: 4325: 2619:. The franchise was eventually returned to the private sector through re-tendering, which saw it pass to the 2025: 1741: 47: 5283: 4523: 3537:"Transport for Greater Manchester extends Metrolink operator contract with KeolisAmey Metrolink until 2027" 2884: 2558: 1802: 1749: 1616: 1404: 958: 710: 592: 122: 4222:"Payments to passenger rail operators under emergency measures agreements (EMAs), March to September 2020" 4549:"Firstgroup plc / ScotRail franchise merger inquiry (CC) Competition and Markets Authority case – GOV.UK" 2533: 2525: 2222:

to run for at least two years following the end of its emergency agreement in April 2021, similarly with

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As the program progressed, all franchises had been awarded and commenced by 1 April 1997, the last being

1717: 4874:"FE Investegate |Strategic Rail Auth Announcements | Strategic Rail Auth: Virgin CrossCountry franchise" 4848: 1176:

Created from InterCity unit on privatisation. Amalgamated with Thames Trains and the Wessex to form new

5321: 3951: 2402: 2371: 1855: 1794: 1653: 499: 4971: 50:, the former state-owned railway operator, and involved franchises being awarded by the government to 5247: 4033: 2577:

was seen by some as an attempt by First to bypass the franchising system: GB were the holders of the

2330:, gradually reunifying them under one entity and reintegrating them with infrastructure management. 2203: 2109: 2082: 1801:

on 4 February 1996, although this came after the first privately run service, which ironically was a

1645: 1589: 1177: 906: 326: 4899: 3921: 2481: 4085: 2553: 2506: 2254: 2231: 2230:

One franchise was taken into public ownership under the operator of last resort procedure in 2021:

2141: 1947: 1887: 1883: 1696: 1644:(14 October 2001). Amalgamated with the Great Western and Thames Trains franchises to form the new 1585: 1403:

became sole owner of Great Western Holdings in March 1998. North Wales services transferred to the

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covering the early morning Fishguard to Cardiff journey in South Wales, due to engineering works.

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Prior to privatisation, the passenger services of British Rail were organised into three units:

5288: 4988: 4524:"Arriva plc / Wales and Borders Rail Franchise Competition and Markets Authority case – GOV.UK" 2316: 2312: 2176: 1907: 1891: 1413: 1396: 1384: 1205: 1165: 647: 571: 448: 5178: 5234: 5166: 4046: 2804: 2210:

signed new franchise agreements which run alongside their emergency agreements, and Arriva's

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The following National Rail Contracts are operated by the UK, Welsh or Scottish governments.

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that will own and manage most railway infrastructure across Great Britain, taking over from

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One franchise was taken into public ownership under the same procedure in 2022: after the

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Created from InterCity unit on privatisation. From 1 April 2004: Parts transferred to new

8: 5137: 2269: 2068: 2021: 1959: 1923: 1915: 1911: 1879: 1379: 1089: 897: 723: 126: 1938: 1673:. 1 April 2006: remainder transferred to new Thameslink & Great Northern franchise. 1451:

Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to Connex. Passed to the publicly-owned

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A small number of urban railway systems are not franchised but are contracted out as a

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One franchise was taken into public ownership under the same procedure later in 2021:

4907: 4050: 3930: 3852: 3844: 3722: 3683: 3649: 2779: 2689: 2395: 2223: 2172: 2005: 1986: 1903: 1863: 1790: 1737: 1485: 1371: 1201: 1189: 1106: 1094: 993: 979: 829: 456: 214: 4078:"[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Essex rail contract agreement – Press releases – GOV.UK" 3985: 1764:

envisaged splitting up the railways and returning ownership to an equivalent of the

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and the passenger rail franchising functions were formally transferred to the SRA.

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for at least four years from April 2022, and GWR for three years from June 2022.

2196: 2126: 1847: 1819: 1464: 1114: 1035: 983: 778: 616: 400: 297: 134: 25: 2688:. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. pp. 9–10. 2544:

The franchise was eventually re-tendered and awarded to a joint venture between

1996:, the first time since privatisation that a TOC had been bought by another TOC. 1970:. On 1 February 2001, the position of Franchising Director was abolished by the 5067: 4658: 4471: 4247: 4007: 3784:"House of Commons – Transport, Local Government and the Regions – First Report" 3390: 3256: 2517: 2378: 2037: 1831: 1581: 1064: 773: 504: 253: 36: 4686:"Revealed: How the world gets rich – from privatising British public services" 1009:(the rolling stock leasing companies) before being sold off in 1996 and 1997. 5384: 5093: 5040: 4911: 4164: 3856: 3419: 2783: 2744: 2681: 2410: 2086:

UK rail subsidy as a percentage of GDP per journey 1982-2014, indexed to 1982

2063: 1641: 1624: 1566: 1184: 886: 4771: 3679:

Transport in Britain : from canal lock to gridlock; [1750–2000]

3616:"Stourbridge Shuttle back on track after major upgrade works to branch line" 21: 2549: 2422: 2320: 2211: 2136:

In January 2015, as part of its statutory duty to promote competition, the

2076: 1967: 1870:

all captured two each, with the franchises they won being closely related (

1752: 1700: 1629: 1363: 1351: 1313: 1301: 1288: 1243: 1119: 1081: 1069: 934: 361: 4747:"Repainted and rebranded – Virgin Trains East Coast service leaves London" 2264:

franchise finished at the end of March 2022, services were transferred to

2594:

franchise on its expiry in 2003, which it had been operating through its

2570: 2105: 2016:

being given a direct role over services in Wales. Responsibility for the

1993: 1769: 1611:

Created from RR unit on privatisation. Awarded to Prism Rail, trading as

1052: 1040: 950: 913:, but since March 2024 it has been taken back into public control by the 174:

The following National Rail Contracts are operated by private companies.

82: 4300:"Critical rail services protected in new deals for GWR and Southeastern" 4275:"UK railways brace for shake-up and cuts as long-overdue review arrives" 2326:

GBR will assume responsibility for passenger services as they return to

2144:) evaluated the CMA's options, leading to a final report in March 2016. 1768:

railway companies that had existed before the creation of British Rail.

5115: 4190: 2574: 2491:

was brought in to run the failed InterCity East Coast franchise in 2009

2460: 2276: 2164: 1919: 1839: 1827: 1761: 1710: 1658: 1469: 1400: 1367: 1284: 1255: 1233:. Amalgamated into the South West Trains franchise on 4 February 2007. 1150: 1138: 930: 881: 466: 461: 395: 339: 310: 4824:"House of Commons – Transport – Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence" 2499: 2187:

Two franchises had already been taken into public ownership under the

2434: 2183:

companies' costs. There are some exceptions to the standard pattern:

2160:

costs plus a management fee of up to 2% of their pre-pandemic costs.

2072: 1963: 1002: 2304:, it was announced that franchises would be gradually phased out as 73:

The system only covers the railways of Great Britain (including the

3312: 2265: 2168: 938: 862: 810: 784: 642: 4070: 3719:

The Official History of Privatisation: Popular capitalism, 1987–97

3098:"National Rail Contract: Thameslink, Southern, and Great Northern" 4352:"Two franchises abolished for good, as First and DfT agree terms" 4108:"Passenger rail services: Competition and Markets Authority case" 3509:

KeolisAmey Awarded Contract to run Greater Manchester's Metrolink

3361:"Transpennine Express to be brought into operator of last resort" 3923:

The Department for Transport – Letting Rail Franchises 2005–2007

1689: 5208: 4849:"Stagecoach Group welcomes Virgin Rail deal – Stagecoach Group" 2585: 857: 805: 5041:"Stagecoach and Virgin win East Coast mainline rail franchise" 2664:– includes a timeline of changes to rail franchises since 1994 2350:

Investigations which resulted in undertakings are as follows:

1999: 1370:(26 September 1997). London metro services transferred to new 3642:"16. Privatising the Railways: from Rejection to Legislation" 2603: 2418: 2246: 1531: 1505:. Amalgamated with the Island Line franchise to form the new 957:

and Pre Metro Operations (providing a shuttle service on the

531:

Government operated National Rail Contracts in Great Britain

432: 2598:

TOC. Having announced the new operator (from 2003) would be

178:

Privately operated National Rail Contracts in Great Britain

3810:"Extension not competition as franchise replacement stalls" 3015:"First Greater Western Limited 2022 national rail contract" 2406: 4961:(Press release). Department for Transport. 15 August 2012. 2471: 4632:"Rail franchising system 'not fit for purpose', MPs warn" 3744:"Britain's railways are doing well despite privatisation" 3420:"French firm wins 7-year Docklands Light Rail franchise". 3391:"Transport for Wales rail services has been nationalised" 1843: 1312:

Created from InterCity unit on privatisation. Awarded to

1238: 305: 141:

Performance is monitored throughout the contract period.

3521:

Southern Rail operator to take over running of Metrolink

2657:

List of companies operating trains in the United Kingdom

2552:

in November 2014, with services transferring to the new

1902:, which would eventually be merged with their main win, 93: 4472:"TransPennine Express loses contract over poor service" 4446:"Scotland's train operator ScotRail to be nationalised" 4248:"Rail franchises axed as help for train firms extended" 2647:

History of rail transport in Great Britain 1995 to date

5138:"BBC NEWS – UK – England – Train firm loses franchise" 4659:"Would it be realistic to renationalise the railways?" 4139:"Rail emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic" 2682:

European Conference of Ministers of Transport (2007).

1933: 5094:"East Coast train line to be put into public control" 3131:. Department for Transport. July 2017. Archived from 2772:"UK ends rail franchising as Covid measures extended" 2249:

was terminated on 16 October 2021 and transferred to

2044:

although the government allayed these fears in 2009.

1966:, the owner of the railway infrastructure, to create 1105:

Created from InterCity unit on privatisation. Won by

5068:"Stagecoach hit by Virgin East Coast rail line woes" 4900:"Branson will reapply for franchise in rail shakeup" 4376:

First National Rail Contracts signed for SWR and TPE

3590:"South Yorkshire's Supertram back in public control" 3485:"Arriva extends London overground contract with TfL" 3436:"Arriva named as new operator for London Overground" 2745:"Rail franchises axed as help for train firms grows" 2047:

Passenger Rail Franchising has been examined by the

28:, the third railway service to be franchised in 1996 4420:"ScotRail to move to Scottish Government ownership" 3882:"First Group back on track for Anglia after merger" 3539:. Transport for Greater Manchester. 11 January 2024 2291: 1580:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1530:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1520:

Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise

1501:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1362:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1229:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1149:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Awarded to 4684: 4599: 4039:The Brown Review of the Rail Franchising Programme 3929:. London: National Audit Office. 15 October 2008. 3880: 3742: 2983:"Trenitalia c2c Limited 2021: notice of variation" 2878: 2876: 2874: 2872: 2870: 2868: 2866: 2864: 2770:Kollewe, Julia; Topham, Gwyn (21 September 2020). 2455:InterCity West Coast § 2012 franchise process 2363:National Express' acquisition of Prism Rail (2000) 1818:was the winner of the most franchises, with five ( 1395:Created from RR unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1080:Created from RR unit on privatisation. Awarded to 1051:Created from RR unit on privatisation. Awarded to 81:are owned and operated by the state-owned company 35:is the system of contracting the operation of the 5116:"East Coast train line back under public control" 2448: 1910:also won two, on opposite sides of the country – 1772:advocated an alternative plan put forward by the 1005:(the infrastructure and major station owner) and 5382: 4326:"DfT awards new contract to Arriva CrossCountry" 4165:"Commuters to get refund on rail season tickets" 3179:"National Rail Contract: West Coast Partnership" 2058: 1989:, the incumbent franchisee since privatisation. 4718:"East Coast rail line returns to private hands" 4394:"New GWR National Rail contract for FirstGroup" 3911:Articles 4.3 and 4.4 of Regulation 1370/2007/EC 2861: 2850: 2848: 2846: 2642:Financing of the rail industry in Great Britain 2051:and a report was published on 15 October 2008. 1898:also won two, although the second was the tiny 1337:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Won by 1254:Created from NSE unit on privatisation. Won by 542: 189: 5391:Passenger rail transport in the United Kingdom 4841: 4464: 4006: 3682:. London : Hambledon and London. p. 187. 3551: 3120: 3118: 2844: 2842: 2840: 2838: 2836: 2834: 2832: 2830: 2828: 2826: 1279:Created from RR unit on privatisation. Won by 933:from a railway infrastructure company such as 909:was previously operated under a concession by 5194: 5173:Rail passenger franchising up to October 2012 4799:"Hurtling towards a £7.6bn bill at full tilt" 4191:"Train services to be cut due to coronavirus" 3975: 3237:. Department for Transport. 10 September 2021 3150:"Virgin Rail Group West Coast rail franchise" 2935:. Department for Transport. 10 September 2021 2769: 2433:In the wider context of the controversy over 1731: 5416:2020 disestablishments in the United Kingdom 4624: 4575:"Byers links Prism Rail sale to fare freeze" 4228:. Department for Transport. 27 November 2020 3950:Odell, Mark; Jacobs, Rose (3 October 2012). 3288:. Department for Transport. 24 February 2022 3196: 2623:TOC April 2006 as part of the newly created 2586:Failed Network SouthCentral franchise (2003) 5210:Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain 4656: 3949: 3943: 3675: 3341:. Department for Transport. 16 October 2021 3115: 2907:. Department for Transport. 2 December 2021 2823: 2652:Impact of the privatisation of British Rail 2428: 2389: 2366:National Express / Midland Main Line (1996) 2147: 2120: 2000:2005–2009: Direct government responsibility 33:Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain 5201: 5187: 3458:"Arriva wins London Overground concession" 3308:"ScotRail goes back into public ownership" 1736:The franchising system was created by the 915:South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority 5276:Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern 5175:– Department for Transport, February 2013 4306:. Department for Transport. 30 March 2020 4145:. Department for Transport. 23 March 2020 3827: 3587: 3226: 3224: 3069:"South Western Railway contract extended" 2924: 2922: 2564: 1013:Defunct rail franchises in Great Britain 5396:Railway franchises in the United Kingdom 4959:"New operator for West Coast passengers" 4682: 3020:. Department for Transport. 14 June 2022 2381:should instigate an independent review. 2333: 2081: 2071:in 2000 then a further increase to fund 2062: 1937: 920: 20: 4934:"Arriva wins Cross Country rail routes" 4931: 4797:Osborne, Alistair (25 September 2004). 4796: 4573:Osborne, Alistair (19 September 2000). 4572: 4386: 3845:"Chiltern wins first 20-year franchise" 3353: 3257:"Rail firm Northern to be nationalised" 3209:. Department of Transport. 19 July 2017 2958:"National Rail Contract: East Midlands" 2896: 2894: 2472:InterCity East Coast franchise failures 1455:(9 November 2003). Replaced by the new 5411:Transport policy in the United Kingdom 5383: 5065: 4897: 4744: 4740: 4738: 4715: 4272: 3716: 3712: 3710: 3708: 3706: 3639: 3613: 3482: 3232:"National Rail Contract West Midlands" 3221: 3173: 3171: 3092: 3090: 3043:"XC Trains Limited 2023 rail contract" 3037: 3035: 3009: 3007: 2952: 2950: 2919: 2882:House of Common Briefing Paper SN1343 2854:House of Common Briefing Paper SN6521 2685:Competitive Tendering of Rail Services 2202:Three franchises expired during 2020. 1962:, which led to the nationalisation of 1779:Director of Passenger Rail Franchising 522: 46:The system was created as part of the 5182: 5047:from the original on 28 November 2014 4601:"National Express to comply with MMC" 4216: 4214: 4212: 4133: 4131: 4129: 4032: 3875: 3873: 3842: 3778: 3776: 3774: 3772: 3770: 3676:Bagwell, Philip; Lyth, Peter (2002). 3646:The Official History of Privatisation 3438:. Transport for London. 18 March 2016 1992:In August 2003, FirstGroup purchased 1755:(BR), which has since been wound up. 169: 94:Tendering, monitoring and termination 5021:from the original on 12 October 2011 3401:from the original on 25 January 2021 2930:"National Rail Contract East Anglia" 2891: 2714: 2712: 1922:, who had won a single franchise in 1200:Created at privatisation and won by 996:(RR) for services in all other areas 964: 4735: 4344: 3703: 3168: 3087: 3032: 3004: 2947: 2858:, 30 September 2015, Louise Butcher 2637:Campaign to Bring Back British Rail 2357:Arriva / Wales & Borders (2004) 2341:Competition & Markets Authority 2138:Competition & Markets Authority 1934:1997–2005: Strategic Rail Authority 1026: 1023: 982:(NSE) for commuter services across 764: 761: 101:are decided by the UK Government's 13: 4932:Osborne, Alistair (11 July 2007). 4925: 4891: 4772:"West coast rail upgrade expected" 4683:Armitage, Jim (20 November 2014). 4318: 4292: 4209: 4126: 4082:webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk 3870: 3836: 3767: 2902:"National Rail Contract: Chiltern" 2888:, 14 December 2015, Louise Butcher 2308:are taken into public ownership. 2296:Following the election of the new 976:for long-distance express services 751:Rail concessions in Great Britain 14: 5427: 5160: 5074:from the original on 2 March 2018 5015:"East Coast rail to be state-run" 4657:de Castella, Tom (3 March 2015). 3843:Gibbs, Geoff (18 February 2002). 3833:SRA Strategic Plan 2003, p. 64-65 2709: 4898:Milner, Mark (18 October 2005). 4697:from the original on 25 May 2022 4612:from the original on 25 May 2022 3893:from the original on 25 May 2022 3755:from the original on 25 May 2022 3588:Constable, Oli (22 March 2024). 3371:from the original on 11 May 2023 3336:"Service Contract South Eastern" 2498: 2480: 2465:Secretary of State for Transport 2384: 2292:Labour government (2024–present) 2010:Secretary of State for Transport 1709: 1688: 5130: 5108: 5086: 5059: 5033: 5007: 4981: 4965: 4951: 4866: 4816: 4790: 4764: 4709: 4676: 4650: 4592: 4566: 4541: 4516: 4490: 4438: 4412: 4369: 4266: 4240: 4183: 4157: 4100: 4026: 4000: 3978:"Goodbye to the cap-and-collar" 3969: 3952:"How franchise hit the buffers" 3914: 3905: 3801: 3735: 3669: 3633: 3607: 3581: 3529: 3514: 3502: 3476: 3450: 3428: 3413: 3383: 3328: 3300: 3275: 3249: 3142: 3061: 2975: 2509:took over the franchise in 2015 990:into the various London termini 5043:. BBC News. 27 November 2014. 4828:www.publications.parliament.uk 3807: 3788:www.publications.parliament.uk 2797: 2763: 2737: 2675: 2449:West Coast re-tendering (2012) 2354:Stagecoach / East Coast (2015) 2026:passenger transport executives 737: 1: 5406:Privatisation of British Rail 5066:Wilson, Bill (28 June 2017). 4745:Topham, Gwyn (2 March 2015). 4716:Topham, Gwyn (1 March 2015). 3462:Railway Gazette International 3283:"Service Contract - Northern" 2668: 2505:Return to private operation: 2108:, and a review undertaken by 2059:2010–2012: Pauses and reviews 1742:privatisation of British Rail 1617:Wales & Borders franchise 1405:Wales & Borders franchise 711:Wales & Borders franchise 123:Wales & Borders franchise 109:arrangements, franchises for 48:privatisation of British Rail 16:Outsourcing of rail transport 4273:Topham, Gwyn (16 May 2021). 3976:Robert Wright (March 2011). 3483:Vitale, Cat (28 June 2023). 2885:Railway passenger franchises 2856:Railways: franchising policy 2559:London North Eastern Railway 2487:Temporary public ownership: 1930:year award for Island Line. 1803:rail replacement bus service 1750:government-owned corporation 1699:train owned and operated by 959:Stourbridge Town branch line 593:London North Eastern Railway 164: 148: 7: 4012:"New franchising programme" 3154:RNS - London Stock Exchange 2630: 2534:National Express East Coast 2526:Great North Eastern Railway 10: 5432: 5371:West Anglia Great Northern 5169:– Department for Transport 4978:(London). 6 December 2012. 4014:. Department for Transport 3721:. Routledge. p. 472. 3614:Holder, Bev (5 May 2021). 2452: 2437:'s failure to upgrade the 2403:Directly Operated Railways 2372:Transport Select Committee 2302:July 2024 general election 1732:1996–1997: Genesis to sale 1679: 1654:West Anglia Great Northern 937:. These operators include 88: 5300: 5216: 5017:. BBC News. 1 July 2009. 3204:"Rail franchise schedule" 3126:"Rail Franchise Schedule" 2625:Integrated Kent franchise 2561:TOC the following month. 2306:train operating companies 2142:Office of Rail & Road 1695:Before privatisation: an 1646:Greater Western franchise 1590:Greater Western franchise 1457:Integrated Kent franchise 1178:Greater Western franchise 907:South Yorkshire Supertram 654: 52:train operating companies 41:railways of Great Britain 5118:. BBC News. 24 June 2018 4254:. BBC. 21 September 2020 2990:Department for Transport 2554:Virgin Trains East Coast 2507:Virgin Trains East Coast 2429:West Coast upgrade delay 2409:of France or the German 2390:Public/private ownership 2255:Department for Transport 2232:Transport for Wales Rail 2148:Suspension and abolition 2121:2013–2019: Direct awards 1948:Strategic Rail Authority 1746:Government of John Major 1671:Greater Anglia franchise 1586:First Great Western Link 1584:. Upon being awarded to 1264:Arriva Trains Merseyside 1155:Greater Anglia franchise 1057:Greater Anglia franchise 719:Transport for Wales Rail 428:Govia Thameslink Railway 103:Department for Transport 5313:InterCity Great Western 5096:. BBC News. 16 May 2018 3524:Manchester Evening News 2662:Train operating company 2360:First / ScotRail (2004) 2189:operator of last resort 1507:South Western franchise 801:Docklands Light Railway 107:devolved administration 61:operator of last resort 5289:West Coast Partnership 3717:Parker, David (2012). 3640:Parker, David (2012). 2565:Bidding process (2003) 2541:TOC in November 2009. 2524:franchise through its 2317:publicly-owned company 2313:Great British Railways 2177:Great British Railways 2087: 2079: 1943: 1908:Great Western Holdings 1842:came next, with four ( 1720:operated train on the 1414:Arriva Trains Northern 1397:Great Western Holdings 1385:Great Western Holdings 1287:concession managed by 1206:West Coast Partnership 1166:Great Western Holdings 648:Scottish Rail Holdings 572:Scottish Rail Holdings 449:West Coast Partnership 200:Core Term Expiry Date 29: 4878:www.investegate.co.uk 4047:The Stationery Office 3648:. London: Routledge. 2569:The 2003 purchase of 2520:, which had held the 2463:, but in October the 2370:In February 2017 the 2334:Competition inquiries 2220:South Western Railway 2199:(since 1 March 2020). 2085: 2066: 2049:National Audit Office 2036:In October 2007, the 1941: 1716:After franchising: a 921:Open-access operators 686:TransPennine Express 391:South Western Railway 335:Great Western Railway 277:East Midlands Railway 56:open access operators 24: 5317:InterCity West Coast 5280:TransPennine Express 5253:InterCity East Coast 4608:. 21 December 1996. 2617:South Eastern Trains 2609:Connex South Eastern 2596:Connex South Central 2592:Network SouthCentral 2522:InterCity East Coast 2439:West Coast Main Line 2285:TransPennine Express 2281:TransPennine Express 2097:InterCity West Coast 2092:coalition government 2031:Transport for London 1774:Adam Smith Institute 1722:InterCity East Coast 1561:as separate brands. 1543:South Eastern Trains 1453:South Eastern Trains 1436:Connex South Eastern 1322:Connex South Central 1208:on 8 December 2019. 1162:First Great Western 1135:First Great Eastern 927:open-access operator 853:Manchester Metrolink 693:TransPennine Express 585:InterCity East Coast 490:West Midlands Trains 420:& Great Northern 418:Thameslink, Southern 5284:Wales & Borders 4976:The Daily Telegraph 4036:(10 January 2013). 3751:. 30 January 2016. 3397:. 22 October 2020. 3184:. 18 September 2023 2751:. 21 September 2020 2376:Transport Secretary 2270:Scottish Government 2152:In response to the 2022:Scottish Government 1960:Hatfield rail crash 1619:(14 October 2001). 1509:(4 February 2007). 1380:First North Western 1090:Virgin CrossCountry 1059:from 1 April 2004. 1014: 752: 731: – 724:Transport for Wales 705: – 655: – 605: – 579: – 532: 523:Government operated 179: 127:Transport for Wales 77:); the railways in 5224:Caledonian Sleeper 5217:Current franchises 4853:www.stagecoach.com 4424:Transport Scotland 3988:on 9 November 2012 3489:Railway Technology 3156:. 21 December 2018 3075:. 10 February 2023 2805:"Rail franchising" 2100:contract default. 2088: 2080: 2020:was passed to the 2018:ScotRail franchise 1972:Transport Act 2000 1944: 1550:13 September 2014 1214:Island Line Trains 1012: 988:South East England 750: 567:Caledonian Sleeper 530: 516:20 September 2026 513:15 September 2024 495:Transport UK Group 437:14 September 2014 424:14 September 2014 282:Transport UK Group 265:20 September 2026 262:15 September 2024 249:Transport UK Group 177: 170:Privately operated 119:Transport Scotland 115:Caledonian Sleeper 99:Railway franchises 37:passenger services 30: 5378: 5377: 5337:Midland Main Line 5301:Former franchises 4638:. 5 February 2017 4332:. 16 October 2020 4010:(5 August 2011). 3982:Rail Professional 3936:978-0-10-295431-9 3263:. 29 January 2020 2992:. 9 February 2023 2516:In December 2006 2396:Railways Act 1993 2394:According to the 2298:Labour government 2224:Avanti West Coast 2195:(since 2018) and 2173:London Overground 2154:COVID-19 pandemic 2006:Railways Act 2005 1987:Chiltern Railways 1904:South West Trains 1864:Virgin Rail Group 1791:South West Trains 1738:Railways Act 1993 1677: 1676: 1486:South West Trains 1426:11 December 2004 1392:11 December 2004 1372:London Overground 1359:10 November 2007 1309:10 November 2007 1202:Virgin Rail Group 1190:Virgin Rail Group 1157:on 1 April 2004. 1107:Virgin Rail Group 1102:10 November 2007 1095:Virgin Rail Group 1077:10 November 2007 994:Regional Railways 980:Network SouthEast 965:Former franchises 903: 902: 839:13 November 2016 830:London Overground 735: 734: 613:12 December 2004 520: 519: 510:10 December 2017 486:11 November 2007 457:Avanti West Coast 371:11 November 2007 358:11 November 2007 355:New CrossCountry 273:11 November 2007 230:12 December 2027 215:Chiltern Railways 68:COVID-19 pandemic 5423: 5365:Wales & West 5310:InterCity Anglia 5203: 5196: 5189: 5180: 5179: 5167:Rail franchising 5154: 5153: 5151: 5149: 5134: 5128: 5127: 5125: 5123: 5112: 5106: 5105: 5103: 5101: 5090: 5084: 5083: 5081: 5079: 5063: 5057: 5056: 5054: 5052: 5037: 5031: 5030: 5028: 5026: 5011: 5005: 5004: 5002: 5000: 4985: 4979: 4969: 4963: 4962: 4955: 4949: 4948: 4946: 4944: 4929: 4923: 4922: 4920: 4918: 4895: 4889: 4888: 4886: 4884: 4870: 4864: 4863: 4861: 4859: 4845: 4839: 4838: 4836: 4834: 4820: 4814: 4813: 4811: 4809: 4794: 4788: 4787: 4785: 4783: 4778:. 28 August 2002 4768: 4762: 4761: 4759: 4757: 4742: 4733: 4732: 4730: 4728: 4713: 4707: 4706: 4704: 4702: 4688: 4680: 4674: 4673: 4671: 4669: 4654: 4648: 4647: 4645: 4643: 4628: 4622: 4621: 4619: 4617: 4603: 4596: 4590: 4589: 4587: 4585: 4570: 4564: 4563: 4561: 4559: 4545: 4539: 4538: 4536: 4534: 4520: 4514: 4513: 4511: 4509: 4494: 4488: 4487: 4485: 4483: 4468: 4462: 4461: 4459: 4457: 4442: 4436: 4435: 4433: 4431: 4416: 4410: 4409: 4407: 4405: 4390: 4384: 4373: 4367: 4366: 4364: 4362: 4348: 4342: 4341: 4339: 4337: 4322: 4316: 4315: 4313: 4311: 4296: 4290: 4289: 4287: 4285: 4270: 4264: 4263: 4261: 4259: 4244: 4238: 4237: 4235: 4233: 4218: 4207: 4206: 4204: 4202: 4187: 4181: 4180: 4178: 4176: 4161: 4155: 4154: 4152: 4150: 4135: 4124: 4123: 4121: 4119: 4104: 4098: 4097: 4095: 4093: 4088:on 17 March 2014 4084:. Archived from 4074: 4068: 4067: 4065: 4063: 4044: 4030: 4024: 4023: 4021: 4019: 4004: 3998: 3997: 3995: 3993: 3984:. Archived from 3973: 3967: 3966: 3964: 3962: 3947: 3941: 3940: 3928: 3918: 3912: 3909: 3903: 3902: 3900: 3898: 3889:. 16 July 2003. 3884: 3877: 3868: 3867: 3865: 3863: 3840: 3834: 3831: 3825: 3824: 3822: 3820: 3805: 3799: 3798: 3796: 3794: 3780: 3765: 3764: 3762: 3760: 3746: 3739: 3733: 3732: 3714: 3701: 3700: 3698: 3696: 3673: 3667: 3666: 3664: 3662: 3637: 3631: 3630: 3628: 3626: 3620:Stourbridge News 3611: 3605: 3604: 3602: 3600: 3585: 3579: 3578: 3576: 3574: 3565:. Archived from 3555: 3549: 3548: 3546: 3544: 3533: 3527: 3518: 3512: 3506: 3500: 3499: 3497: 3495: 3480: 3474: 3473: 3471: 3469: 3454: 3448: 3447: 3445: 3443: 3432: 3426: 3417: 3411: 3410: 3408: 3406: 3387: 3381: 3380: 3378: 3376: 3357: 3351: 3350: 3348: 3346: 3340: 3332: 3326: 3325: 3323: 3321: 3304: 3298: 3297: 3295: 3293: 3287: 3279: 3273: 3272: 3270: 3268: 3253: 3247: 3246: 3244: 3242: 3236: 3228: 3219: 3218: 3216: 3214: 3208: 3200: 3194: 3193: 3191: 3189: 3183: 3175: 3166: 3165: 3163: 3161: 3146: 3140: 3139: 3138:on 17 June 2018. 3137: 3130: 3122: 3113: 3112: 3110: 3108: 3102: 3094: 3085: 3084: 3082: 3080: 3065: 3059: 3058: 3056: 3054: 3039: 3030: 3029: 3027: 3025: 3019: 3011: 3002: 3001: 2999: 2997: 2987: 2979: 2973: 2972: 2970: 2968: 2963:. 4 October 2022 2962: 2954: 2945: 2944: 2942: 2940: 2934: 2926: 2917: 2916: 2914: 2912: 2906: 2898: 2889: 2880: 2859: 2852: 2821: 2820: 2818: 2816: 2801: 2795: 2794: 2792: 2790: 2767: 2761: 2760: 2758: 2756: 2741: 2735: 2734: 2732: 2730: 2716: 2707: 2706: 2704: 2702: 2679: 2611:TOC running the 2530:National Express 2502: 2484: 2328:public ownership 2275:On 28 May 2023, 2272:on 1 April 2022. 2262:Abellio ScotRail 2236:Welsh Government 2014:Welsh Government 1888:Mersey Electrics 1886:for Virgin, and 1848:Wales & West 1824:Midland Mainline 1816:National Express 1713: 1692: 1648:(1 April 2006). 1634:14 October 2001 1630:National Express 1608:13 October 2001 1605:13 October 1996 1592:(1 April 2006). 1574:13 October 1996 1503:Stagecoach Group 1498:3 February 2007 1495:4 February 1996 1477:13 October 2001 1474:13 October 1996 1465:Wales & West 1459:(1 April 2006). 1445:13 October 1996 1364:National Express 1352:National Express 1331:14 October 1996 1314:National Express 1302:National Express 1297:Midland Mainline 1273:19 January 1997 1251:6 November 2014 1244:National Express 1231:Stagecoach Group 1226:3 February 2007 1223:13 October 1996 1197:8 December 2019 1170:4 February 1996 1120:National Express 1082:National Express 1070:National Express 1015: 1011: 947:Heathrow Express 816:7 December 2014 783:31 May 2015 (as 753: 749: 728:7 February 2021 715:14 October 2001 698:DfT OLR Holdings 689:1 February 2004 681:17 October 2027 678:16 October 2021 674:DfT OLR Holdings 622:DfT OLR Holdings 610:Northern Trains 598:DfT OLR Holdings 544: 539:Franchise since 533: 529: 478:17 October 2032 475:18 October 2026 472:8 December 2019 453:8 December 2019 387:4 February 1996 377:12 October 2031 374:17 October 2027 315:9 November 2014 292:13 October 2030 289:18 October 2026 259:16 October 2016 191: 186:Franchise since 180: 176: 79:Northern Ireland 5431: 5430: 5426: 5425: 5424: 5422: 5421: 5420: 5381: 5380: 5379: 5374: 5327:Gatwick Express 5296: 5248:Greater Western 5243:Essex Thameside 5212: 5207: 5163: 5158: 5157: 5147: 5145: 5136: 5135: 5131: 5121: 5119: 5114: 5113: 5109: 5099: 5097: 5092: 5091: 5087: 5077: 5075: 5064: 5060: 5050: 5048: 5039: 5038: 5034: 5024: 5022: 5013: 5012: 5008: 4998: 4996: 4987: 4986: 4982: 4970: 4966: 4957: 4956: 4952: 4942: 4940: 4938:Telegraph.co.uk 4930: 4926: 4916: 4914: 4896: 4892: 4882: 4880: 4872: 4871: 4867: 4857: 4855: 4847: 4846: 4842: 4832: 4830: 4822: 4821: 4817: 4807: 4805: 4803:Telegraph.co.uk 4795: 4791: 4781: 4779: 4770: 4769: 4765: 4755: 4753: 4743: 4736: 4726: 4724: 4714: 4710: 4700: 4698: 4691:The Independent 4681: 4677: 4667: 4665: 4655: 4651: 4641: 4639: 4630: 4629: 4625: 4615: 4613: 4606:The Independent 4598: 4597: 4593: 4583: 4581: 4579:Telegraph.co.uk 4571: 4567: 4557: 4555: 4547: 4546: 4542: 4532: 4530: 4522: 4521: 4517: 4507: 4505: 4496: 4495: 4491: 4481: 4479: 4470: 4469: 4465: 4455: 4453: 4452:. 18 March 2021 4444: 4443: 4439: 4429: 4427: 4426:. 17 March 2021 4418: 4417: 4413: 4403: 4401: 4392: 4391: 4387: 4380:Modern Railways 4374: 4370: 4360: 4358: 4350: 4349: 4345: 4335: 4333: 4324: 4323: 4319: 4309: 4307: 4298: 4297: 4293: 4283: 4281: 4271: 4267: 4257: 4255: 4246: 4245: 4241: 4231: 4229: 4220: 4219: 4210: 4200: 4198: 4197:. 20 March 2020 4189: 4188: 4184: 4174: 4172: 4171:. 23 March 2020 4163: 4162: 4158: 4148: 4146: 4137: 4136: 4127: 4117: 4115: 4106: 4105: 4101: 4091: 4089: 4076: 4075: 4071: 4061: 4059: 4057: 4042: 4031: 4027: 4017: 4015: 4005: 4001: 3991: 3989: 3974: 3970: 3960: 3958: 3956:Financial Times 3948: 3944: 3937: 3926: 3920: 3919: 3915: 3910: 3906: 3896: 3894: 3887:The Independent 3879: 3878: 3871: 3861: 3859: 3841: 3837: 3832: 3828: 3818: 3816: 3814:Railway Gazette 3808:UK, DVV Media. 3806: 3802: 3792: 3790: 3782: 3781: 3768: 3758: 3756: 3749:The Independent 3741: 3740: 3736: 3729: 3715: 3704: 3694: 3692: 3690: 3674: 3670: 3660: 3658: 3656: 3638: 3634: 3624: 3622: 3612: 3608: 3598: 3596: 3586: 3582: 3572: 3570: 3557: 3556: 3552: 3542: 3540: 3535: 3534: 3530: 3526:18 January 2017 3519: 3515: 3507: 3503: 3493: 3491: 3481: 3477: 3467: 3465: 3464:. 18 March 2016 3456: 3455: 3451: 3441: 3439: 3434: 3433: 3429: 3418: 3414: 3404: 3402: 3389: 3388: 3384: 3374: 3372: 3359: 3358: 3354: 3344: 3342: 3338: 3334: 3333: 3329: 3319: 3317: 3306: 3305: 3301: 3291: 3289: 3285: 3281: 3280: 3276: 3266: 3264: 3255: 3254: 3250: 3240: 3238: 3234: 3230: 3229: 3222: 3212: 3210: 3206: 3202: 3201: 3197: 3187: 3185: 3181: 3177: 3176: 3169: 3159: 3157: 3148: 3147: 3143: 3135: 3128: 3124: 3123: 3116: 3106: 3104: 3103:. 24 March 2022 3100: 3096: 3095: 3088: 3078: 3076: 3067: 3066: 3062: 3052: 3050: 3049:. 25 April 2024 3041: 3040: 3033: 3023: 3021: 3017: 3013: 3012: 3005: 2995: 2993: 2985: 2981: 2980: 2976: 2966: 2964: 2960: 2956: 2955: 2948: 2938: 2936: 2932: 2928: 2927: 2920: 2910: 2908: 2904: 2900: 2899: 2892: 2881: 2862: 2853: 2824: 2814: 2812: 2811:. HM Government 2803: 2802: 2798: 2788: 2786: 2768: 2764: 2754: 2752: 2743: 2742: 2738: 2728: 2726: 2718: 2717: 2710: 2700: 2698: 2696: 2680: 2676: 2671: 2633: 2588: 2579:Anglia Railways 2567: 2557:publicly-owned 2537:publicly-owned 2514: 2513: 2512: 2511: 2510: 2503: 2494: 2493: 2492: 2485: 2474: 2457: 2451: 2431: 2392: 2387: 2336: 2294: 2268:, owned by the 2150: 2127:Essex Thameside 2123: 2061: 2002: 1936: 1820:Gatwick Express 1740:as part of the 1734: 1729: 1728: 1727: 1726: 1725: 1714: 1705: 1704: 1703: 1693: 1682: 1663:5 January 1997 1559:Gatwick Express 1366:, rebranded to 1283:. Converted to 1143:5 January 1997 1115:Gatwick Express 1099:5 January 1997 1045:5 January 1997 1036:Anglia Railways 967: 923: 861: 809: 740: 525: 503: 498: 465: 419: 406:20 August 2017 401:MTR Corporation 399: 327:Greater Western 298:Essex Thameside 286:18 August 2019 252: 172: 167: 151: 135:Transport Focus 117:are awarded by 96: 91: 26:Gatwick Express 17: 12: 11: 5: 5429: 5419: 5418: 5413: 5408: 5403: 5398: 5393: 5376: 5375: 5373: 5372: 5369: 5366: 5363: 5358: 5353: 5350: 5347: 5344: 5341: 5338: 5335: 5332: 5329: 5324: 5319: 5314: 5311: 5308: 5304: 5302: 5298: 5297: 5295: 5294: 5291: 5286: 5281: 5278: 5273: 5268: 5263: 5258: 5255: 5250: 5245: 5240: 5237: 5232: 5229: 5226: 5220: 5218: 5214: 5213: 5206: 5205: 5198: 5191: 5183: 5177: 5176: 5170: 5162: 5161:External links 5159: 5156: 5155: 5144:. 27 June 2003 5129: 5107: 5085: 5058: 5032: 5006: 4995:. 22 June 2014 4980: 4964: 4950: 4924: 4890: 4865: 4840: 4815: 4789: 4763: 4734: 4708: 4675: 4649: 4623: 4591: 4565: 4540: 4515: 4504:. 22 July 2015 4489: 4463: 4437: 4411: 4400:. 14 June 2022 4385: 4368: 4343: 4317: 4291: 4265: 4239: 4208: 4182: 4156: 4125: 4114:. 8 March 2016 4099: 4069: 4055: 4034:Brown, Richard 4025: 4008:Philip Hammond 3999: 3968: 3942: 3935: 3913: 3904: 3869: 3835: 3826: 3800: 3766: 3734: 3727: 3702: 3688: 3668: 3654: 3632: 3606: 3580: 3569:on 9 June 2019 3550: 3528: 3513: 3501: 3475: 3449: 3427: 3425:. 4 July 2014. 3412: 3382: 3352: 3327: 3316:. 1 April 2022 3299: 3274: 3248: 3220: 3195: 3167: 3141: 3114: 3086: 3060: 3031: 3003: 2974: 2946: 2918: 2890: 2860: 2822: 2796: 2762: 2736: 2708: 2694: 2673: 2672: 2670: 2667: 2666: 2665: 2659: 2654: 2649: 2644: 2639: 2632: 2629: 2587: 2584: 2566: 2563: 2518:Sea Containers 2504: 2497: 2496: 2495: 2486: 2479: 2478: 2477: 2476: 2475: 2473: 2470: 2453:Main article: 2450: 2447: 2430: 2427: 2391: 2388: 2386: 2383: 2379:Chris Grayling 2368: 2367: 2364: 2361: 2358: 2355: 2335: 2332: 2293: 2290: 2289: 2288: 2273: 2258: 2239: 2216: 2215: 2200: 2149: 2146: 2122: 2119: 2069:Hatfield crash 2060: 2057: 2038:European Union 2001: 1998: 1952:Transport 2010 1935: 1932: 1832:Central Trains 1759:Prime Minister 1733: 1730: 1715: 1708: 1707: 1706: 1694: 1687: 1686: 1685: 1684: 1683: 1681: 1678: 1675: 1674: 1667: 1666:31 March 2006 1664: 1661: 1656: 1650: 1649: 1638: 1637:31 March 2006 1635: 1632: 1627: 1621: 1620: 1609: 1606: 1603: 1600: 1594: 1593: 1582:Go-Ahead Group 1578: 1577:31 March 2006 1575: 1572: 1571:Thames Trains 1569: 1563: 1562: 1551: 1548: 1545: 1540: 1539:South Central 1536: 1535: 1528: 1527:31 March 2006 1525: 1522: 1517: 1511: 1510: 1499: 1496: 1493: 1488: 1482: 1481: 1478: 1475: 1472: 1467: 1461: 1460: 1449: 1448:31 March 2006 1446: 1443: 1438: 1432: 1431: 1427: 1424: 1421: 1416: 1410: 1409: 1393: 1390: 1387: 1382: 1376: 1375: 1360: 1357: 1354: 1349: 1343: 1342: 1335: 1332: 1329: 1324: 1318: 1317: 1310: 1307: 1306:28 April 1996 1304: 1299: 1293: 1292: 1277: 1274: 1271: 1266: 1260: 1259: 1252: 1249: 1246: 1241: 1235: 1234: 1227: 1224: 1221: 1216: 1210: 1209: 1198: 1195: 1192: 1187: 1181: 1180: 1174: 1173:31 March 2006 1171: 1168: 1163: 1159: 1158: 1147: 1146:31 March 2004 1144: 1141: 1136: 1132: 1131: 1128: 1125: 1124:28 April 1996 1122: 1117: 1111: 1110: 1103: 1100: 1097: 1092: 1086: 1085: 1078: 1075: 1072: 1067: 1065:Central Trains 1061: 1060: 1049: 1048:31 March 2004 1046: 1043: 1038: 1032: 1031: 1028: 1025: 1022: 1019: 998: 997: 991: 977: 966: 963: 922: 919: 901: 900: 895: 892: 889: 884: 878: 877: 872: 869: 866: 855: 849: 848: 843: 840: 837: 832: 826: 825: 820: 817: 814: 803: 797: 796: 791: 788: 781: 776: 774:Elizabeth line 770: 769: 766: 763: 760: 757: 739: 736: 733: 732: 729: 726: 721: 716: 713: 707: 706: 703: 700: 695: 690: 687: 683: 682: 679: 676: 671: 666: 663: 657: 656: 653: 650: 645: 640: 639:31 March 1997 637: 631: 630: 627: 624: 619: 614: 611: 607: 606: 603: 600: 595: 590: 589:28 April 1996 587: 581: 580: 577: 574: 569: 564: 561: 555: 554: 551: 548: 545: 540: 537: 524: 521: 518: 517: 514: 511: 508: 492: 487: 484: 483:West Midlands 480: 479: 476: 473: 470: 459: 454: 451: 445: 444: 441: 438: 435: 430: 425: 422: 414: 413: 410: 407: 404: 393: 388: 385: 379: 378: 375: 372: 369: 364: 359: 356: 352: 351: 348: 345: 342: 337: 332: 329: 323: 322: 319: 316: 313: 308: 303: 300: 294: 293: 290: 287: 284: 279: 274: 271: 270:East Midlands 267: 266: 263: 260: 257: 246: 244:Greater Anglia 241: 238: 232: 231: 228: 225: 222: 217: 212: 209: 205: 204: 201: 198: 195: 192: 187: 184: 171: 168: 166: 163: 150: 147: 125:is awarded by 95: 92: 90: 87: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 5428: 5417: 5414: 5412: 5409: 5407: 5404: 5402: 5399: 5397: 5394: 5392: 5389: 5388: 5386: 5370: 5367: 5364: 5362: 5359: 5357: 5354: 5351: 5349:South Central 5348: 5346:North Western 5345: 5343:North Eastern 5342: 5339: 5336: 5334:Great Western 5333: 5331:Great Eastern 5330: 5328: 5325: 5323: 5320: 5318: 5315: 5312: 5309: 5306: 5305: 5303: 5299: 5293:West Midlands 5292: 5290: 5287: 5285: 5282: 5279: 5277: 5274: 5272: 5271:South Western 5269: 5267: 5266:South Eastern 5264: 5262: 5259: 5256: 5254: 5251: 5249: 5246: 5244: 5241: 5239:East Midlands 5238: 5236: 5233: 5230: 5227: 5225: 5222: 5221: 5219: 5215: 5211: 5204: 5199: 5197: 5192: 5190: 5185: 5184: 5181: 5174: 5171: 5168: 5165: 5164: 5143: 5139: 5133: 5117: 5111: 5095: 5089: 5073: 5069: 5062: 5046: 5042: 5036: 5020: 5016: 5010: 4994: 4990: 4984: 4977: 4973: 4968: 4960: 4954: 4939: 4935: 4928: 4913: 4909: 4905: 4901: 4894: 4879: 4875: 4869: 4854: 4850: 4844: 4829: 4825: 4819: 4804: 4800: 4793: 4777: 4773: 4767: 4752: 4748: 4741: 4739: 4723: 4719: 4712: 4696: 4692: 4687: 4679: 4664: 4660: 4653: 4637: 4633: 4627: 4611: 4607: 4602: 4595: 4580: 4576: 4569: 4554: 4550: 4544: 4529: 4525: 4519: 4503: 4499: 4493: 4478:. 11 May 2023 4477: 4473: 4467: 4451: 4447: 4441: 4425: 4421: 4415: 4399: 4395: 4389: 4382: 4381: 4377: 4372: 4357: 4353: 4347: 4331: 4327: 4321: 4305: 4301: 4295: 4280: 4276: 4269: 4253: 4249: 4243: 4227: 4223: 4217: 4215: 4213: 4196: 4192: 4186: 4170: 4166: 4160: 4144: 4140: 4134: 4132: 4130: 4113: 4109: 4103: 4087: 4083: 4079: 4073: 4058: 4056:9780101852623 4052: 4048: 4041: 4040: 4035: 4029: 4013: 4009: 4003: 3987: 3983: 3979: 3972: 3957: 3953: 3946: 3938: 3932: 3925: 3924: 3917: 3908: 3892: 3888: 3883: 3876: 3874: 3858: 3854: 3850: 3846: 3839: 3830: 3815: 3811: 3804: 3789: 3785: 3779: 3777: 3775: 3773: 3771: 3754: 3750: 3745: 3738: 3730: 3728:9780415692212 3724: 3720: 3713: 3711: 3709: 3707: 3691: 3689:9781852852634 3685: 3681: 3680: 3672: 3657: 3655:9780415692212 3651: 3647: 3643: 3636: 3621: 3617: 3610: 3595: 3591: 3584: 3568: 3564: 3560: 3554: 3538: 3532: 3525: 3522: 3517: 3510: 3505: 3490: 3486: 3479: 3463: 3459: 3453: 3437: 3431: 3424: 3421: 3416: 3400: 3396: 3392: 3386: 3370: 3366: 3362: 3356: 3337: 3331: 3315: 3314: 3309: 3303: 3284: 3278: 3262: 3258: 3252: 3233: 3227: 3225: 3205: 3199: 3180: 3174: 3172: 3155: 3151: 3145: 3134: 3127: 3121: 3119: 3099: 3093: 3091: 3074: 3070: 3064: 3048: 3044: 3038: 3036: 3016: 3010: 3008: 2991: 2984: 2978: 2959: 2953: 2951: 2931: 2925: 2923: 2903: 2897: 2895: 2887: 2886: 2879: 2877: 2875: 2873: 2871: 2869: 2867: 2865: 2857: 2851: 2849: 2847: 2845: 2843: 2841: 2839: 2837: 2835: 2833: 2831: 2829: 2827: 2810: 2806: 2800: 2785: 2781: 2777: 2773: 2766: 2750: 2746: 2740: 2725: 2721: 2715: 2713: 2697: 2695:9789282101636 2691: 2687: 2686: 2678: 2674: 2663: 2660: 2658: 2655: 2653: 2650: 2648: 2645: 2643: 2640: 2638: 2635: 2634: 2628: 2626: 2622: 2618: 2614: 2613:South Eastern 2610: 2605: 2601: 2597: 2593: 2583: 2580: 2576: 2572: 2562: 2560: 2555: 2551: 2547: 2542: 2540: 2535: 2531: 2527: 2523: 2519: 2508: 2501: 2490: 2483: 2469: 2466: 2462: 2456: 2446: 2442: 2440: 2436: 2426: 2424: 2420: 2414: 2412: 2411:Deutsche Bahn 2408: 2404: 2399: 2397: 2385:Controversies 2382: 2380: 2377: 2373: 2365: 2362: 2359: 2356: 2353: 2352: 2351: 2348: 2344: 2342: 2331: 2329: 2324: 2322: 2318: 2314: 2309: 2307: 2303: 2299: 2286: 2282: 2278: 2274: 2271: 2267: 2263: 2259: 2256: 2252: 2248: 2244: 2240: 2237: 2233: 2229: 2228: 2227: 2225: 2221: 2213: 2209: 2208:South Eastern 2205: 2204:Great Western 2201: 2198: 2194: 2190: 2186: 2185: 2184: 2180: 2178: 2174: 2170: 2166: 2161: 2157: 2155: 2145: 2143: 2139: 2134: 2130: 2128: 2118: 2114: 2111: 2110:Richard Brown 2107: 2101: 2098: 2093: 2084: 2078: 2074: 2070: 2065: 2056: 2052: 2050: 2045: 2041: 2039: 2034: 2032: 2027: 2023: 2019: 2015: 2011: 2007: 1997: 1995: 1990: 1988: 1983: 1979: 1975: 1973: 1969: 1965: 1961: 1955: 1953: 1949: 1940: 1931: 1927: 1925: 1924:Great Eastern 1921: 1917: 1916:North Western 1913: 1912:Great Western 1909: 1905: 1901: 1897: 1893: 1889: 1885: 1881: 1877: 1876:South Eastern 1873: 1872:South Central 1869: 1865: 1861: 1857: 1853: 1849: 1845: 1841: 1837: 1833: 1829: 1825: 1821: 1817: 1813: 1811: 1806: 1804: 1800: 1796: 1792: 1786: 1782: 1780: 1775: 1771: 1767: 1763: 1760: 1756: 1754: 1751: 1747: 1743: 1739: 1723: 1719: 1712: 1702: 1698: 1691: 1672: 1668: 1665: 1662: 1660: 1657: 1655: 1652: 1651: 1647: 1643: 1642:Wessex Trains 1639: 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