Southern Franchise winner announced

[Barty]

The DfT has today announced that Govia, the current operators, have been awarded the South Central franchise for a further 5 years 10 months.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechessta ... entralfran

[admin]

Wasn't this against expectations - though I suppose you are very happy with it Barty! Do you have more?

Admin

[Barty]

I didn't hear any rumours from anyone high-up as to whether it was expected or not, to be honest. Although there was a feeling that, with National Express shedding jobs in some of their other franchises, they were perhaps outsiders.

The only other thing I know is that the BBC are due in the office shortly to film us for a clip which may or may not end up in the news (probably BBC London) to accompany the franchise announcement!!!!

[parker]

Thanks Barty for the update!

[Barty]

I suppose you are very happy with it Barty!

Indeed! The franchise commitments include the provision of another 40 help points at Southern stations and live cctv monitoring at every single one within the new franchise term. So my department will be expanding.