| National Express East Anglia loses franchise |
| Thursday, 26 November 2009 16:57 |
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Secretary of State for Transport Lord Adonis announced this morning that National Express East Anglia will lose its franchise which will now end on 31st March 2011. NatEx had hoped to extend their franchise until 2014, however the Government has prevented them from doing so after they lost the East Coast main line franchise. Bernard Jenkin, who discussed the matter with Lord Adonis this morning, said: “Passengers have had a tough time since the government approved National Express for the Colchester line. That is not solely the fault of National Express, but they did overbid for the franchise. The Government should never have accepted such a disproportionately high bid. “Bob Brakewell and Great Eastern had a superior bid but bid less for the franchise and lost out as a result. “National Express is primarily a bus company, but the National Express East Anglia Chief Executive Andrew Chivers is a competent railwayman and I am sure he will do his best to maintain standards until 2011. New bidders must be experienced railway companies who will put their full financial backing behind the bid. “Let us remember that the drivers, train and platform staff have all had a tough time and deserve our thanks and support.” |