Bidders to make Southwestern plans

The two bidders for the South Western franchise - First South Western Trains and Stagecoach South West - are to set out how they plan to provide extra services, introduce smart ticketing and provide a delay-repay compensation process. It follows the issue of the Invitation To Tender by the Department for Transport at the end of June.

Among the requirements are an additional 95 or more services on weekdays from December 2018. Services from London Waterloo to Reading and Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside will be doubled from two to four trains per hour. Earlier first and later last trains are required on ‘many routes’ from December 2018, while quicker journey times are mandated on “at least 70%” of all services from December 2020.

A new delay-repay compensation scheme will be introduced, as well as smart ticketing and new tickets for part-time workers. The winner will also be expected to work with Isle of Wight Council to “secure a long-term sustainable solution to the future of the Island Line during the course of the next franchise, that will enable it to become a selfsustaining business”.

The ITT also says that any new rolling stock ordered by the bidders must be fitted with Driver Only Operation in passenger mode equipment. Bids must be submitted by September 7, with the franchise due to start on June 25 2017.