Meeting with franchise bidder Abellio and Neil O’Brien MP: 9th March 2018

​Train operator Abellio, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch state railway operator NS, has been added to the DfT’s shortlist of bidders for the East Midlands franchise. Their Bid Director Simon Pready, who lives locally in Rothwell, requested a meeting with Harborough MP Neil O’Brien, and HRU Chair Steve Jones was invited to join them.  We met at the station on 9th March.  The weather was cold and wet, which gave a good opportunity to demonstrate how bleak the platforms are - and may still be after the intended reconstruction! 
Abellio are meeting interested parties throughout the franchise area and are gathering information that will help them in preparing their bid.  They were in no position to set out their own plans or proposals.  We discussed our aspirations for the train service, new rolling stock, the station enhancements and the Midland Main Line upgrade.  With this meeting, we have now met three of the four shortlisted potential bidders.