News and communications

Secretary of State for Transport statement to Parliament about not renewing Transpennine Express contract.

• Updated: 11 May 2023

Transport Secretary has announced he will not renew or extend Transpennine Express's contract.

• Updated: 11 May 2023

Avanti West Coast contract extended with further work to restore reliability and punctuality to come.

• Updated: 20 March 2023

Passenger service contracts create a new way of working between the public and private sector to provide punctual and reliable rail passenger services.

• Updated: 13 October 2021

Contingent liabilities for an agreement to continue non-stop rail services between Paddington and Heathrow Airport.

• Updated: 11 June 2018

Announcing companies in the running for the new West Coast Partnership and South Eastern rail franchises.

• Updated: 22 June 2017

Announcing companies in the running for the new West Coast Partnership and South Eastern rail franchise.

• Updated: 22 June 2017

Three companies have achieved pre-qualification for the East Midlands rail franchise.

• Updated: 1 March 2017

Government releases details of new West Coast Partnership rail franchise.

• Updated: 19 January 2017

Arriva Cross Country to continue to run trains services stretching across Britain under new contract announced today.

• Updated: 29 September 2016

Rail Minister Paul Maynard announces a host of extra benefits and services for passengers in the West Midlands.

• Updated: 30 August 2016

Enhanced services and faster trains across East Anglia franchise including new trains from Bombardier.

• Updated: 10 August 2016

South Western rail franchise competition specification documents released for bidders.

• Updated: 4 July 2016

Names of train companies to compete for West Midlands franchise announced.

• Updated: 7 April 2016

First South Western Trains Ltd and Stagecoach South West Ltd have been shortlisted to run the South Western rail franchise in June 2017.

• Updated: 4 February 2016

The Department for Transport has officially signed the Northern and TransPennine Express contracts.

• Updated: 23 December 2015

Government intends to award Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Ltd, and TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Ltd.

• Updated: 9 December 2015

New franchise for East Midlands Trains will see £13 million of investment in journey improvements.

• Updated: 16 September 2015

The new franchise agreement will deliver more seats, better services and wi-fi at stations across the north of England.

• Updated: 20 March 2015

First published during the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Announces publication of the invitations to tender for the next Northern and Transpennine Express rail franchises.

• Updated: 27 February 2015

First published during the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government