Government scraps Great Western rail services contest

THE DEPARTMENT for Transport yesterday scrapped plans for a bidding competition for the franchise to run Great Western rail services.

The competition was one of three put on hold last October in the wake of the fiasco over the flawed awarding of the West Coast Main Line franchise.

Current operator First Great Western has had its contract extended until October and negotiations will start on a new two-year contract with the company, while plans for the longer term will be set out in the spring.

Meanwhile, operators of the two other franchises Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern and Essex Thameside will be offered interim two-year contracts while competitions are launched for longer-term franchises.

The department will grant a 28-week extension to the current Thameslink/Great Northern franchise operated by First Capital Connect after it ends in September and negotiate on a two-year extension.

The franchise competition for a seven-year contract to run the service will be resumed.