South Central franchise

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This article or section contains information about planned or expected public transportation in the United Kingdom. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change significantly as more information becomes available.

South Central is the name of a future franchise of train services that will operate across south-east England. It is due to commence on 20 September 2009 and will combine the existing operations of Southern, Gatwick Express and services on the Redhill to Tonbridge route currently operated by Southeastern.^[1] The existing franchises are due to expire in 2009 and 2008 respectively.^[1] The franchise will run for 5 years and 10 months, with the possibility of a further extension of two years at the discretion of the Department for Transport.^[2]

[edit] Routes

These will be the routes:

from present Southern franchise

• Brighton Main Line - London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Brighton
• East Coastway - Brighton to Hastings (via Eastbourne)
  • including Marsh Link Line - Hastings to Ashford International
  • including "Seaford Flyer" Line - Brighton to Seaford (via Lewes)
  • Lewes to Wivelsfield
• West Coastway - Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour and/or Southampton Central
  • Littlehampton branch
  • Bognor Regis branch
• Arun Valley Line - Brighton Main Line to West Coastway (via Horsham)
• North Downs Line - Redhill to Reigate (peak only)
• Oxted Lines, divides at Hurst Green to
  • East Grinstead
  • Uckfield
• Sutton & Mole Valley Line - London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Horsham (via Dorking) or Guildford (both via Mitcham Junction or West Croydon)
  • including Epsom Downs branch
• Caterham - London (Victoria, Charing Cross and London Bridge) to Caterham (via the Brighton Main Line, diverging at Purley)
• Tattenham Corner - London (Victoria and London Bridge) and Charing Cross to Tattenham Corner (via the Brighton Main Line, diverging at Purley)
• Victoria to East Croydon via
  • Crystal Palace and Balham
  • Selhurst and Balham
• London Bridge to East Croydon via
  • Sydenham
  • Selhurst and Tulse Hill
  • Crystal Palace and Tulse Hill
• South London Lines - Victoria to London Bridge
  • "inner" via Peckham Rye
  • "outer" via Crystal Palace
• West London Line - Clapham Junction to Watford Junction

from present Southerneastern franchise

• Redhill to Tonbridge

from NX Gatwick Express

• London Victoria to Gatwick Airport

[edit] Uckfield - Lewes

The franchise agreement will include a change mechanism enabling the Department for Transport to incorporate supplemental routes into the South Central franchise and invite bidders to submit priced options for schemes put forward by stakeholders. One such scheme could, as indicated in the South Central Franchise Consultation Paper, be the reopening of the Uckfield - Lewes line which closed in 1969.^[3]

[edit] Rolling Stock

The rolling stock to be used by this franchise is not known at present. It will likely include all the stock currently operated by Southern, as well as some from Southeastern, and possibly some new build.

[edit] Bidders

The bidding process has yet to commence. Expressions of interest are, as of May 2008, being sought and shortlisted applicants will receive a formal invitation to tender in November 2008. The identity of the successful bidder will be announced in early Summer 2009.^[2]

[edit] References

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