Three companies have successfully passed the pre-qualification stage for the East Anglia franchise, and will now develop proposals ahead of the Invitation To Tender being received in August.

Abellio East Anglia Limited (a joint venture between Abellio and Stagecoach), First East Anglia Limited and National Express East Anglia Trains Limited have been shortlisted for the Anglian franchise, which is currently operated by Abellio.

The EA deal was initially let on a 29-month deal in February 2012, with plans for the longer franchise to start in July 2014. Due to the franchising review, a Direct Award was issued to Abellio last year. The winning candidate will be revealed next summer, with the new franchise due to begin in October 2016.

Read Comment from Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP and co-chairman of the Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce

  • For more on this issue, see RAIL 776, published on June 10.