The government has launched the bidding competition to run the East Coast Main Line rail franchise to the private sector.
The Department for Transport today (October 25) officially started the process with the publication of a series of procurement documents for potential bidders.
The East Coast Mainline, which runs from Kings Cross in London to the north-east and Scotland, has been run by the government since National Express handed back the franchise in 2009.
Eurostar confirmed last month that it would take a minority stake in a new consortium led by French company Keolis which will apply for the East Coast franchise.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We want to see a revitalised East Coast railway, one that both rekindles the spirit of competition for customers on this great route to Scotland and competes with the West Coast on speed, quality and customer service.
“We need a strong partner to ensure we successfully deliver the £240 million programme of infrastructure investments on the route and the improvements in rolling stock that the multi-billion Intercity Express Programme will provide.
“The government believes a strong private sector partner, as an innovator and investor, will build on this stable basis and deliver a world-class railway for passengers and best value for the taxpayer.”
The DFT plans to confirm which companies have passed the pre-qualification stage of the process in January with the short-list of firms then being given an invitation to tender in February. The bidders will then have three months to prepare their submissions.
The winner of the East Coast franchise is due to be announced in October 2014, with the successful bidder taking over services from February 2015.
eastcoast.co.uk