Challenge facing rail franchises

Over the next year four years, 15 contracts worth over 75% of the UK train operating market are scheduled to be let, including all three of Go-Ahead’s franchises which it holds as the majority shareholder in the Govia partnership with Keolis: Southern, Southeastern and London Midland.  “It will be the most significant period in shaping future ownership of UK transport since rail privatisation,” Brown says. “Some of these franchises will be for long periods, so it...