East Midlands Trains franchise extended to August 2019

Though the next franchise is not due to start until 19th August 2019, the previous East Midlands Trains (EMT) contract was due to expire on 2nd March!  Accordingly, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Stagecoach Group have agreed a direct award extension for EMT to cover the interim period.  The next franchise operator is due to be announced by the DfT in April.  However, if there is any delay, the direct award has an option in it for further extension for up to six 'reporting periods' of four weeks each, i.e. 24 weeks, to February 2020.  The direct award includes:

• £150,000 investment in accessibility improvements at stations
• A simplified process for Delay Repay compensation for late trains
• A mobile phone app giving real-time information on train running plus facilities for booking and paying for tickets
• On-board 4G WiFi, with 15 minutes' free use in standard class 
• Continued preparation for the next franchise, with particular reference to provision of greater capacity.

We in Harborough Rail Users look forward to working with EMT over this period of transition pending appointment of the next operator of our service.

The East Midlands Trains branding as applied to the side of an HST.