Franchise

Greater Manchester PTE delivered the highly successful Metrolink tram network. Now Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wants to bring more local lines into his Bee network, alongside Metrolink. On November 8 2022, Metrolink 3079 and 3049 line up at Deansgate with services to Trafford Bar and Eccles. TOM MCATEE.

Feature

Which route will rail franchising take?

A committed local approach or a more national path? Philip Haigh examines how rail franchises could be transformed in the coming years.

Regulation 14 Oct

Greater Anglia Class 755422 passes Ufford with an Ipswich-Lowestoft service on January 6. The GA is one of the first franchises that will come up for review. ALAMY.

Comment

Christian Wolmar: Labour fails to answer fundamental questions about the future of the railway

What now? Despite the length of the hustings, none of the questions about the future of the rail industry have been answered

Christian Wolmar 15 Jul

News

Go-Ahead counts the cost of Southeastern “errors”

The cost of the decision to strip Southeastern of its franchise has now risen to more than £80 million, Go-Ahead Group has revealed.

28 Feb

News

Operator of Last Resort to take over ScotRail franchise

Publicly owned Operator of Last Resort to take over ScotRail next year

17 Mar

Transport for Wales dispensed with its Class 175 units earlier this year

News

Wales and Borders franchise back in public ownership

“Bringing the rail franchise into public control will help secure this better future for passengers" - Welsh Government

8 Feb

News

No special agreements for open access operators

Rail Minister confirms no special measures for open access operators

14 Oct

News

Government axes rail franchising after 24 years

“The model of adopted 25 years ago has seen significant rises in passenger numbers, but this pandemic has proven that it is no longer working" - Shapps

21 Sept

News

DfT has “no idea what to do”, say top railway insiders

Insiders criticise Government over continued rail industry uncertainty

29 Jun

News

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “We are feeling positive” - Greater Anglia MD Jamie Burles

GA Managing Director JAMIE BURLES tells RICHARD CLINNICK how the operator has reacted to the COVID-19 crisis, and how plans for franchise growth remain in place

5 May

News

GB Rail: Labour’s blueprint for a publicly owned railway

Privatisation as we've known it is over - Labour

2 Apr

News

Direct Award franchise extensions for Southeastern and GWR

Direct Awards for Great Western Railway and Southeastern

30 Mar

News

COVER STORY: Northern Trains Limited looks to the long-term

New dawn for Northern? More new train orders likely as DfT takes over franchise

11 Mar

News

Doubts cast over future of three franchises including Southeastern

Minister suggests Operator of Last Resort could be appointed to run at least one franchise

21 Feb

News

Government warning for West Midlands Trains

“West Midlands Trains has failed to fulfil its obligations – to its franchise agreement and, most importantly, to its passengers" - Grant Shapps

10 Feb

News

Government to take over services on Northern network

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps has announced that, from March 1, the Government will take over running services on the Northern network.

29 Jan