The Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the new Northern franchise has been issued by the Department for Transport and can be seen on the DfT website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/northern-franchise-2015-invitation-to-tender.
The three preferred bidders for the franchise are:
Abellio Northern Ltd.
Arriva Rail North Ltd.
Govia Northern Ltd.
The headlines from the ITT are:
- increased support for community rail throughout the Northern franchise area,
- investment in stations,
- investment in new rolling stock – at least 120 new-build carriages
- more capacity on trains through strengthening
- more trains on weekdays and Sayturdays
- more trains on Sundays to more places
- free wi-fi by 2020
To read a full briefing document issued by Rail North please click HERE.