News

FOLKESTONE HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINK OPERATOR NAMED

The Government has announced that transport company Govia has won the contract to run a new Kent rail franchise which includes routes which have been run in the public sector by South Eastern Trains and the new commuter high speed link from Folkestone to London.

The company promises to invest £76m in passenger and staff facilities, and build two new depots in Ashford and Ramsgate - but fares will increase.

From 2009, Govia will run high-speed commuter trains on a section of the franchise which will use the Channel Tunnel rail link. 

The new franchise will be for eight years, with the final two years dependent on service performance. 

The franchise area covers routes already operated by South Eastern Trains where the previous franchise holder, Connex, was sacked by the Strategic Rail Authority in 2003.