Maria has welcomed the Rail Minister’s publication of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the next South Western rail franchise. This sets out the Government’s expectations for service improvements, and the companies bidding to take over the franchise will need to demonstrate how they will meet – and go above and beyond – these requirements. The minimum specified improvements include at last 95 additional services per weekday by December 2018 and a 20% increase in peak time capacity by December 2020.

Maria said: “I welcome this next step in the competition to award the franchise for this important route. But we need to see more ambition from the bidding companies in terms of increasing capacity, given that peak time routes are already operating at 20% over capacity. I also welcome the plans for improved fares and ticketing, including smart ticketing and new tickets for commuters who work part time.”

First Group and Stagecoach Rail have both been shortlisted for the franchise bid. They have until September to submit their bids. Following evaluation by the Department for Transport, the preferred bidder will be announced in February 2017, with the new franchise planned to start in June  2017.

Maria said: “I met First Group recently and, although I have had considerable contact with South West Trains as the current operator, I also wanted to meet their parent company Stagecoach Group who are bidding for the franchise. I had a good meeting with Stagecoach Rail, to make sure that they too have a good understanding of what Basingstoke rail users want from the new franchise.”

“I have been calling for a “Commuters Charter”, which would mean the new franchise offering much more capacity, and greater value for money. We need to see the fares structure overhauled, to meet the needs of the growing proportion of commuters who may travel fewer than five days a week. We also need to see the railway deliver a higher level of service in order to make commuting better value for money.”