The Department for Transport (DfT) has released the Invitation To Tender (ITT) for the East Midlands rail franchise and also the consultation for the Cross Country franchise.
The DfT has urged bidders to show how they can deliver the upgrade programme.
A massive variety of benefits for passengers in the region includes a Stations Improvement Fund and £250,000 of funding for community rail partnerships.
At the same time, the Department for Transport has launched a 12-week consultation on the next Cross Country franchise.
The new operator will need to:
- Increase the frequency of trains across the franchise network, including an additional every hour train between Corby to London.
- Increase train services on Sunday, with earlier and later trains throughout the week.
- Provide mobile connectivity on trains
- Improve seating
- Enhance delay repay compensation to 15 minutes rather than the current 30 minutes.
The next operator will take over the franchise in August 2019.
The current Cross Country franchise is due to end late next year.
What did the officials say?
Rail Minister Jo Johnson said:
We are investing in the biggest upgrade to the Midland Main Line since it was completed in 1870.
We have listened carefully to what thousands of passengers and stakeholders have said they want to see in the next East Midlands franchise.
We expect the next operator to unlock the unrealised potential while building on its stable foundations.
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