The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) received 13 expressions of interest from companies for the Integrated Kent Franchise when the deadline for applications closed on 3 September 2003.
The Authority expects to reduce the number to a short-list of between three to five companies following a full evaluation of the applications. The names are expected to be announced by the SRA by the end of the year.
Nicola Shaw, the SRA's newly appointed Managing Director, Operations said:
'It is encouraging to see such widespread interest in this exciting new franchise. The next stage is a thorough assessment of the bidders' suitability to operate Kent rail services, and then the shortlist.
'The SRA intends to appoint the new private operator for the Kent franchise within 12-15 months, following an short interim management period by SRA/South Eastern Trains, expected to start later this year.'
Notes to Editors
The 'Integrated Kent Franchise' is planned to be a composite of services operating on the national rail network throughout Kent, parts of Sussex and SE London and, subject to satisfactory completion of the transport and funding cases and Secretary of State approval, domestic services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Connex Transport UK Ltd has been placed on six months notice that their South Eastern rail franchise will terminate no later than 31 December 2003.
Once a handover date is agreed with Connex, the business will transfer to an interim management company to be known as South Eastern Trains, acting on behalf of the SRA.
It is not the policy of the SRA to reveal the identities of the 13 bidders given the commercially confidential nature of the bidding process. Bidders are free to make their own announcements if they so wish.
The SRA will consult on the objectives for the IKF franchise over the next few weeks.
For further details contact the SRA Press Office on 020 7654 6339/ 6387 /6234/ 6862
