20th Aug 2008 10:13
20 August 2008
STAGECOACH SHORTLISTED FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RAIL FRANCHISE
Stagecoach Group plc ("Stagecoach") is pleased to confirm that it has been shortlisted by the Department for Transport ("DfT") to bid for the South Central passenger rail franchise.
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a franchise that is critical to the communities and economy in London and the south of England.
"Stagecoach has an excellent track-record of high operational performance and delivering major investment to improve services for millions of passengers across our existing rail networks.
"Our experience in running the UK's biggest commuter rail franchise at South West Trains and attracting new leisure passengers will give us a strong platform to develop innovative and environmentally sustainable plans for the South Central franchise.
"Passengers depend on a consistently safe, high-quality, fast, frequent and reliable railway. We look forward to working closely with local stakeholders to develop a strong and competitive bid to maximise the potential of the franchise and attract more people to greener, smarter rail travel."
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications
Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680
Email: [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs around 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.
Stagecoach operates the South Western rail franchise, which includes the South West Trains and Island Line networks. South West Trains, the UK's biggest commuter rail network, runs nearly 1700 trains a day in the south-west of England out of London Waterloo. Island Line, on the Isle of Wight, has been designated a Community Rail Partnership.
In addition, Stagecoach runs the East Midlands rail franchise. East Midlands Trains operates high-speed long distance services from London St. Pancras to Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham, Liverpool - Norwich and regional services throughout Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
Stagecoach also has a 49% shareholding in Virgin Rail Group, which operates the West Coast inter-city rail franchise.
Stagecoach is Britain's biggest tram operator, running networks in both Sheffield and Manchester. The Group operates the Supertram network in Sheffield, a 29km tram system incorporating three routes in the city, on a 27-year concession running until 2024. Stagecoach Group also operates and maintains the 37km Manchester Metrolink tram network under a 10-year contract with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive ("GMPTE"). The contract includes managing a number of special projects sponsored by GMPTE to improve the trams and infrastructure to benefit passengers. Stagecoach Metrolink will also be responsible for operating tram services on the new Metrolink lines to Oldham, Rochdale, Droylsden and Chorlton.
South Central
The South Central passenger rail franchise, which is scheduled to start in September 2009, includes fast, frequent rail services for commuters and leisure passengers, mainly in south London and along the South coast. As well as commuters into London, there is a significant leisure market to Gatwick, Brighton and the Sussex coast.
South Central will be formed from the existing Southern franchise, including the recently incorporated Gatwick Express services, as well as the Tonbridge - Redhill element of the current Southeastern service that will be included in Southern from December 2008.
The franchise will be for five years and ten months, expiring in July 2015, with the final year dependent on achieving acceptable performance levels. The DfT also has the discretion to extend the franchise by up to two years from July 2015.
Related Shares:
SGC.L