Arriva, Stagecoach and a joint venture between First and Trenitalia UK Ltd have been shortlisted for the East Midlands franchise.
The Department for Transport made the announcement today (March 1).
Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “A flourishing rail network brings real growth and prosperity to the region it serves.
“Network Rail is working on improvements which, by 2019, will enable the next East Midlands franchise to deliver more carriages and faster journeys over the whole route, including almost twice as many seats into London St Pancras in the peak hours.”
In a statement, DfT said that although the current franchise, operated by East Midlands Trains Limited, is due to end on March 4 2018, the Secretary of State has used his powers to extend it further by up to a year.
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WildNorthlands - 02/03/2017 13:17
In the consultation the DfT seemed to be looking to end through services between Liverpool and Norwich, terminating them at Nottingham. Let's hope that doesn't happen.
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BigTone - 03/03/2017 16:32
Agreed, as Stagecoach is talking about getting some Inter City bimodes. They are intending to use some of them on this route. I wonder, how about running trains from St Pancras through Corby, Melton Mowbray, Leicester, St Pancras (and of course, the opposite direction)
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