Alliance Rail Holdings has announced that their application for rights to operate trains between Southampton Central and London Waterloo has been rejected by the Office of Rail and Road.
The proposal was for Alliance to operate up to 18 trains a day to offer faster journeys from some stations and also relief from crowding at some stations.
The ORR's letter of rejection, viewable here, gives Alliance Rail many reasons for rejecting the application, some of which, Alliance could not have predicted when they submitted their application at the end of 2016.
In the decision, the Office of Rail and Road showed the evidence would need to support a revised application. Alliance has welcomed this opportunity and will address them as they develop plans for new train services.
What did they say?
Alliance Rail Holdings said:
We remain confident that there are significant benefits to passengers and communities when passengers are provided with the opportunity to choose between operators when they travel.
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So in fact it will not happen at all. With 6 Class 442’s intended to be used. As with South Western Railway reinstating 18 Class 442’s that are in refurbishment and will be operated on London Waterloo-Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour semi-fast and stopper services later on this year.