Metro bidder wins top UK rail franchise

A COMPANY bidding to build the next phase of the Metro transport network in south-east Wales has won the franchise to run one of the UK’s busiest rail networks.

Hong Kong-based MTR, with bidding partner FirstGroup, will run South West Trains for the next seven years, after successfully bidding against existing franchiseholder Stagecoach, which has run it for the past two decades.

The Department of Transport said the new joint operators would oversee an investment of £1.3bn to improve journeys. A fleet of 90 new trains have been promised, providing more space for passengers on Reading, Windsor and London routes.

Jeremy Long, from MTR, said: “Together we will deliver a major programme of upgrades, including improvements to both rail services and customer experience, for passengers travelling across the South Western network.”

As well as the next phase of the Metro with the of electrification of the Valley Lines, MTR is also bidding (in a single contract) to run the next Wales and Borders rail franchise from October 2018. Wales’ biggest-ever public sector procurement exercise is being overseen by the Welsh Government’s arm’s-length transport company, Transport for Wales.

The other bidders are KeolisAmey, a joint venture between French transport giant Keolis and public service provide Amey; Arriva Rail Wales, current holder of the Wales and Borders franchise, owned by Deutsche Bahn; and Abellio Group, the international arm of the Dutch national rail operator which operates bus and rail networks across Europe.