Thameslink - Thameslink 2014 Franchise - G

Thameslink - G

Thameslink 2014 Franchise

The invitation to tender for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise was expected to be issued in October 2012, with the contract commencing in September 2013. On 29 March 2012, the Department for Transport announced Abellio, FirstGroup, Govia, MTR Corporation and Stagecoach Group had pre-qualified to bid for the franchise.

Due to problems with the InterCity West Coast tendering process, the process was delayed, with the new franchise delayed until September 2014. The new franchise includes the South Central franchise currently operated by Southern and certain routes from the Integrated Kent Franchise currently operated by Southeastern.

On 23 May 2014, it was announced that the franchise has been awarded to Govia Thameslink Railway. The new Thameslink Southern & Great Northern franchise will include both the Thameslink Great Northern and South Central franchises.

Govia Thameslink Railway began operations on 14 September 2014, with the former First Capital Connect routes Thameslink and Great Northern.

Thameslink 2

Railfuture, an organisation campaigning for better rail services for passengers and freight, has proposed an additional north–south route, connecting the Brighton Main Line to routes north of London, via East Croydon, Lewisham, Canary Wharf, and Stratford.

Thameslink Overview

Thameslink Locale:

South East England

Greater London

East of England

Thameslink Predecessor:

Thameslink, 2 Mar 1997 – 31 Mar 2006

First Capital Connect, 1 Apr 2006 – 13 Sep 2014

Thameslink Current Operator(s): Govia Thameslink Railway, 14th Sep 2014 – 1 April 2028

Thameslink Termini:

Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge,

Sutton, Orpington, Sevenoaks, Rainham, Horsham, Brighton

Thameslink Stops: St PancrasBlackfriars

Thameslink Train Number(s): TL

Thameslink Line(s) Used:

Brighton Main Line

Chatham Main Line

East Coast Main Line

Midland Main Line

Snow Hill tunnel

South Eastern Main Line

Sutton Loop Line

Thameslink Technical Rolling Stock: 115 Class 700 Desiro City

Thameslink Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Electrification:

25 kV 50 Hz AC OHLE

750 V DC third rail

Thameslink Track Owner(s): Network Rail

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