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The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today announced that four parties have successfully pre-qualified as bidders for the new Scottish franchise, which will operate the majority of passenger rail services in Scotland from 2004.
The parties are:
Arriva Trains Ltd FirstGroup plc National Express Group PLC Serco Rail/Netherlands Railways
In the next stage of the franchising process, the SRA and its partners will invite the four parties to submit detailed bids. The SRA and partners expect to announce a preferred bidder in January 2004.
Nick Newton, SRA Managing Director, Operations, said: "These are four strong players with considerable rail experience. They had to reach a high threshold to pre-qualify and demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to Scotland's rail services. It's good news for Scottish passengers."
Notes to Editors 1. The incumbent franchisee is National Express Group Plc whose ScotRail franchise is due to expire in April 2004. The new franchise will be for seven years. 2. The SRA's partners in the franchising process are the Scottish Executive and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive
