HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Eight Pre-Qualify for Wales & Borders Franchise [January 2002]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 30 January 2002.

Steps to establish a new Wales & Borders rail franchise were resumed today with the announcement by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) of eight pre-qualified parties, listed below:

Arriva Trains Ltd
Connex Transport UK Ltd
FirstGroup plc
GB Railways Group plc
National Express Group plc
NS / Dutch Railways
Serco Ltd
Keolis SA

The franchise comprises local and regional passenger rail services in Wales and in the border counties.

Pre-qualified companies will have 60 days from mid-February to prepare detailed proposals, from which a shortlist will be chosen. These shortlisted counterparties will then be invited to submit their best and final offers, from which a preferred counterparty will be selected.

The SRA expects to announce its preferred counterparty in Autumn 2002 and to have a new franchise in place by early 2003.

Richard Bowker, SRA Chairman, said:

“I am delighted by the strong field that has assembled to bid for the franchise, which, yet again, illustrates the keen private sector interest in the railway. Having formed much of the Wales & Borders franchise in interim form last year from existing franchises, it is now for the SRA to deliver a new, long-term, all-Wales rail franchise. We are pleased to have the strong support of the Welsh Assembly Government and the Rail Passengers Committee for Wales in making this a reality. This long-term franchise will provide a new focus and identity for the railway in Wales.”