National Express Lose Franchise

The following is an extract from an announcement by the Department for Transport:

"SHORTLISTED BIDDERS FOR GREATER ANGLIA FRANCHISE

The Department for Transport has today announced the names of the companies shortlisted to bid for the new Greater Anglia franchise.

They are:

Abellio Greater Anglia Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
Eastern Railway Limited (Go-Ahead Group PLC)
Stagecoach Anglia Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc) 

Today's short listing comes after the Government published requirements for franchise, seeking expressions of interest.

The Invitation to Tender for the Greater Anglia franchise will be issued in April.

The Government has set out the following objectives for the franchise:

Delivering a quality of service for passengers for the entire rail journey.
Working with the Department and other stakeholders to ensure value for money.
Managing and delivering changes required to accommodate Crossrail.
Implementing the station responsibilities if required.
Working effectively with Network Rail to maintain performance.
Delivering the plans around the Olympics.
Managing the introduction of the Class 379 HLOS vehicles.
Controlling operational costs and maximising revenue."

The current National Express East Anglia (NXEA) franchise will run until 5th February 2012.