DfT says new southern England mega-franchise on track as First Capital Connect extension agreed

The Government has agreed a deal with First Capital Connect to continue running commuter services for the next six monhs to bridge the gap with the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern Franchise due to start in September.

The DfT said that the TSGN franchise will be the largest on the network, carrying over 280 million passengers every year from King's Lynn and Peterborough to Southampton and Brighton.  Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This contract is a major step towards boosting services for the 150,000 passengers who use these routes every day."

"The new contract with FCC represents the best deal for passengers and taxpayers, it guarantees the completion of the ongoing Thameslink programme." The successful negotiations follow the re-negotiated deals with Virgin Trains, c2c and with First Great Western, all part of the new franchising schedule announced following the independent review by Richard Brown.