Stagecoach wins South Western Trains franchise

Stagecoach has been awarded a new contract to run the South Western franchise from February 4, 2007 for ten years, the Department of Transport has announced.

The South Western franchise comprises services currently operated by South West Trains, including key commuter routes into London and the Island Line on the Isle Of Wight. Stagecoach currently operates both routes.

Stagecoach will pay the Department of Transport a premium of £1.19 billion for the right to run the franchise, which will also provide £40 million investment in enhancements at stations.

Fourteen stations in the franchise area, including Waterloo, will be gated.

Extra security measures, including more visible staff, will also be brought in.

Stagecoach said that it expected that capacity would be increased on both mainline and suburban services by around 20% and that more rolling stock would be added to the fleet.

The company also said that fare structures would be changed in order to incentivise travel outside the busiest periods of peak time and that Smartcard technology would be rolled out across the franchise area by 2009.

There are expected to be few changes to the current timetable.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "This is a good deal for passengers and a good deal for the taxpayer. We want to build upon improvements in reliability and the major investment in rolling stock on the South Western franchise.

"Today's contract will mean that capacity will further increase and there will be more seats for many passengers on busy routes, with longer trains and and extra services operating.

"Passengers across the franchise area are set to be the first outside London to benefit from smart ticketing. Travellers will also see improve performance and more security measures at stations."

(KMcA/EF)