HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : South Central Franchise Transferred – £1.5 Billion Investment Boost Moves into Gear [August 2001]
The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 24 August 2001.
The SRA is working with new operators GoVia to ensure passengers receive a better journey experience on the intensive South Central commuter network. GoVia is expected to assume operation of the London to South Coast franchise on Sunday 26th August.
A series of major enhancements to boost capacity and improve service frequency and comfort, worth £1.5billion, are planned under a new 20 year deal being negotiated by the SRA. The change of operator follows a commercial agreement between GoVia and Connex Transport (UK) Ltd, on the remaining two years of the current franchise, which has run since May 1996.
Commenting on the changeover, SRA Chief Executive Mike Grant, said:
“This will be a first step towards future improvement for South Central’s passengers, many of whom daily experience both overcrowding and old rolling stock on this intensively used and capacity constrained commuter network. Substantial improvements will come about during 2002 when 400 of the 1,000 planned new modern vehicles are expected to begin to replace slam door trains
“Negotiations will continue between the SRA and GoVia towards a new 20 year franchise agreement. A total sum of £1.5billion investment is planned for the franchise, including major track upgrades on the main line to Brighton and the Arun Valley line”.
