South West Franchise Awarded to First MTR

The Department for Transport has announced that First MTR has been awarded the South Western franchise which will run for 7 years from 20 August 2017. This is the first franchise awarded since the Secretary of State set out his vision for the future of the railways in a speech on 6 December 2016, and marks a new era in joined up working between train operators and Network Rail.

First MTR South Western Trains Limited will use the experience of one of its major shareholders MTR, who operate the busy Hong Kong metro, to deliver smooth and rapid journeys for passengers travelling around London’s suburban network. Faster journeys will be delivered through a consistent fleet of new suburban trains offering a regular, metro-style service. Passengers can look forward to more space, ensuring that the railway can support London’s growth.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Following on from our announcement on the start of the South Eastern Franchise consultation, this deal is more great news for rail passengers.
First MTR South Western Trains Limited will deliver the improvements that people tell us they want right across the South Western franchise area, from Bristol and Exeter, to Southampton and Portsmouth, to Reading, Windsor and London.

We are delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century and 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. A railway that is predominantly run by an integrated local team of people with a commitment to the smooth operation of their routes, improving services and performance, is at the heart of Secretary of State’s vision for the network and First MTR South Western Trains Limited expects to work even closer with Network Rail, with the shared aim of giving passengers exactly that.
First MTR South Western Trains Limited will oversee a £1.2 billion investment that will improve journeys for millions of train passengers, and provide a boost for the communities served. The next franchise will see:

• 22,000 extra seats into London Waterloo each morning peak and 30,000 extra seats out of Waterloo each evening peak
• a fleet of 90 new trains, providing more space for passengers on Reading, Windsor and London routes
• refurbished existing trains with charging sockets, new seat covers and refurbished toilets
• more frequent and additional services across the franchise
• faster journeys across the network; journeys to London will be:
  • 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
  • Salisbury
• more Sunday services across the network, with many routes having the equivalent of a Saturday service after 1.00pm