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Keolis in the UK

Commuter, regional and inter-city rail services

 

Market

The UK rail market is divided into 19 rail franchises which go to tender approximately every six years. The central government Department for Transport issues the invitation to tender.

Keolis in the UK

Keolis has holdings in two joint ventures which operate 4 franchises overall. These Train Operating Companies (TOCs) together cover more than 1 in 4 passenger rail journeys each year.

Govia runs the Southeastern, Southern and London Midland franchises. The joint venture is held by Keolis (35%) and Go-Ahead Group (65%).

FirstKeolis (45% Keolis, 55% FirstGroup) runs First Transpennine Express.

For details on Go-Ahead and FirstGroup; see Partners

Franchises

Southeastern covers the south east of England: Kent and parts of East Sussex, as well as the south east outskirts of London. The network was redesigned and boosted in December 2009 with the full introduction of the High speed service using the High Speed 1 line shared with Eurostar, considerably cutting journey times. (More on High Speed: click here)

Key figures:

  • 400 trains,
  • 1760km of track,
  • 170 million passengers/year,

More: Govia launches full high speed service in Great Britain

Web site: www.southeasternrailway.co.uk

Southern serves the southern outskirts of London and the mainline towards Brighton, extending to Portsmouth and Southampton. The new franchise started in September 2009 for a 5 year 10 month period. The network also includes the Gatwick Express service which carries passengers between London Victoria and Gatwick airport in a mere 35 minutes.

Key figures:

  • 300 trains,
  • 666 km of track,
  • 164 million passengers per year,
  • 4200 employees.

More : Govia to continue to operate the UK's South Central franchise

Web site: www.southernrailway.co.uk

London Midland is an intercity service running from London Euston to Birmingham and on to Liverpool. The current franchise was won by Govia in 2007 for a period of 7 years and 10 months.

Key figures:

  • 163 trains,
  • 867 km of track,
  • 60 million passengers/year,
  • 2350 employees.

www.londonmidland.co.uk

Transpennine Express is an intercity service operating in the North of England across the Pennine hills, from Newcastle and York across to Manchester and Liverpool, and a line north from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The latest franchise started on 2004 for duration of 8 years.

Key figures:

  • 60 trains,
  • 1251 km of track,
  • 20 million passengers/year,
  • 1040 employees.

www.tpexpress.co.uk

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