Rail passengers on track for better services after DfT ink deal with Govia
Govia Thameslink Railway Limited to run Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise.
The Department for Transport has today (12 June 2014) confirmed it has officially signed a contract with Govia Thameslink Railway Limited to run the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise.
The 7 year contract will help transform passenger services across London and the south east, delivering more services and seats, faster journeys and better connections for millions of passengers.
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said:
The signing of this deal is great news for passengers and testament to the hard work of the department and the team at Govia. Once operational the new service will transform rail travel to scores of destinations across London and the south east, benefitting millions of passengers and driving forward our economy.
The TSGN franchise is the largest ever let in terms of passenger numbers, serving scores of destinations across the region, including:
- Brighton
- King’s Lynn
- Peterborough
- Cambridge
- Bedford
- Luton
- Gatwick Airport
- Moorgate
Govia will introduce nearly 1,400 new electric carriages across the network, providing 50% more capacity and 10,000 extra seats every weekday into central London during the morning peak by the end of 2018, and delivering quicker, cleaner and more reliable journeys for passengers and businesses.
The franchise will also play a crucial role in delivering the government’s £6.5 billion Thameslink programme – a major programme of infrastructure work that is helping create 8,000 jobs and will allow 24 trains per hour to travel in each direction from Blackfriars to St Pancras. New tunnels will link Peterborough and Cambridge to the existing Thameslink route providing easy access across London via St Pancras to Gatwick and Brighton.
The signing of the contract followed a formal standstill period after the department announced its intention to award the contract on 23 May 2014.
More about TSGN and the rail franchising system
TSGN and the rail franchising system
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