The First MTR offer

First MTR South Western Trains Ltd has committed to: ■ 22,000 extra morning rush hour seats to Waterloo, and 30,000 extra seats each evening. ■ A fleet of 90 new trains for Reading, Windsor and London suburban services. ■ Refurbished Class 442, ‘444’ and ‘450’ trains by December 2018 and Class 158/159 trains by December 2020, with at-seat charging sockets and new seat covers. ■ More frequent and additional services across the franchise. ■ Simpler fare structure. ■ Faster journeys across the network from December 2018, including: 8 minutes faster from Southampton; 5 minutes faster from Portsmouth; 10 minutes faster from Reading; 12 minutes faster from Hounslow; 11 minutes faster from Salisbury. ■ Earlier first and later last trains, including between London and Twickenham, Hounslow, Windsor, Reading, Epsom, Guildford, Portsmouth and Salisbury. ■ More Sunday services across the network from 2018. ■ A new service linking Portsmouth and Weymouth.

The contract requires better information provision on trains and at stations. A new mobile phone app will include live information on seating availability, so that passengers know the best place to stand to board the train.

There will be free WiFi provided at all stations and on all main line trains.

A new smartcard will automatically offer the cheapest walk-up single or day return fare. Mobile phone barcode tickets will be available for the first time.

A new delay repay compensation package will cover delays of 15 minutes or more, with automatic claims for smartcard season tickets.

Southampton Central station will be refurbished with a new entrance and improved facilities as part of a £90 million investment in stations, which includes 1,500 extra car parking spaces across the network.

There are plans for new stations at Park Barn, Merrow and Wilton.

First MTR also promises “the biggest rail operator apprenticeship scheme in Britain” with 100 apprenticeships each year.

Local campaigners have expressed disappointment, as it is understood that Stagecoach had offered more substantial improvements on the island.

Stagecoach said it was “extremely disappointed” to lose its largest rail business. An insider at SWT’s Friars Bridge Court head office said colleagues were “more than gutted” and had been certain that they would hold onto the franchise.

Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: “This franchise will deliver real changes for passengers, who can look forward to modern trains, faster journeys and a more reliable service. The new franchise will see closer partnership working between track and train.” @PaulCliftonBBC See Analysis, pages 32-33. See Industry Insider, page 57.