Rail franchise procurement

Documents and process for tendering to run passenger rail franchises.

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Guidance and regulation

• Passenger service contracts
  • Detailed guide
  • 13 October 2021
  • Department for Transport
• East West Rail (Connection Stage 1): prior information notice
  • Notice
  • 6 April 2023
  • Department for Transport and East West Railway Company Limited
• Cross Country rail services: prior information notice
  • Notice
  • 23 December 2022
  • Department for Transport
• Cross Country rail franchise 2018: prospectus
  • Guidance
  • 20 September 2018
  • Department for Transport
• Passenger service contracts: market engagement notice
  • Notice
  • 13 October 2021
  • Department for Transport

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News and communications

• Transpennine Express's contract will not be renewed or extended
  • 11 May 2023
  • Department for Transport
  • Oral statement
• Transpennine Express to be brought into operator of last resort
  • 11 May 2023
  • Department for Transport and DfT OLR Holdings Limited
  • News story
• Avanti West Coast contract extended for a further 6 months following recent service improvements
  • 20 March 2023
  • Department for Transport
  • News story
• Rail passenger service contracts market engagement day announced
  • 13 October 2021
  • Department for Transport
  • News story
• Hexagon agreement: notification of a contingent liability
  • 11 June 2018
  • Department for Transport and High Speed Two (HS2) Limited
  • Written statement

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Policy papers and consultations

• Cross Country rail franchise
  • 29 August 2023
  • Department for Transport
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 30 August 2018
• West Midlands rail franchise
  • 30 August 2016
  • Department for Transport
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 22 March 2016
• East Anglia rail franchise 2014
  • 3 December 2015
  • Department for Transport
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 16 March 2015
• Essex Thameside franchise 2012
  • 26 September 2013
  • Department for Transport
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 11 May 2012
• Great Western franchise: response to the 2014 consultation
  • 23 March 2015
  • Department for Transport
  • Policy paper

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Organisations

• Department for Transport
• Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland

• DfT OLR Holdings Limited
• High Speed Two (HS2) Limited