Dutch go it alone in quest for new UK rail interests

NedRailways won two rail franchises through its partnership with Serco, so it was a surprise to see the company bidding alone for the new London Rail concession. James Dark spoke to NedRailways chief executive Anton Valk

NedRailways chief executive Anton Valk

NedRailways chief executive Anton Valk

A double deck train in the Netherlands. NedRailways chief executive Anton Valk believes that drawing on NS’s experience of running dense urban operations would enable NedRailways to make strong bids to operate crowded commuter operations in London and the south east

A double deck train in the Netherlands. NedRailways chief executive Anton Valk believes that drawing on NS’s experience of running dense urban operations would enable NedRailways to make strong bids to operate crowded commuter operations in London and the south east

When Transport for London announced the shortlisted bidders for its new London Rail concession it was a surprise to find that NedRailways was bidding without its long-term partner, Serco. NedRailways will compete alone against FirstGroup, Govia and a joint venture between Laing and Hong Kong’s MTR for the contract, which will eventually combine Silverlink Metro services with the extended East London Line.

The joint venture between the international arm of Dutch national train operator,...