Gatwick Express: Data & Information
28th April 1996 – 22nd June 2008 &
22nd June 2008 – 20th September 2009 (extended until 25th July 2015) as part of the South Central Franchise
The service began in May 1984 with air-conditioned InterCity carriages operated by British Rail.
After becoming the first portion of British Rail's InterCity sector to be converted into a separate train operating unit ready for privatisation in March 1994, Gatwick Express was privatised in April 1996 when the franchise was awarded to National Express Group, originally operating between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport only.
In April 2007 the Department for Transport announced that the Gatwick Express franchise was to be incorporated into the South Central franchise.
The Gatwick Express franchise ended on 22nd June 2008, when the service was integrated with the South Central Franchise operated by Southern (owned by Govia).
Initially, services continued unchanged, but in December 2008, the Gatwick Express was extended to start at Brighton during the morning peak period, and to terminate there in the evening peak.
On 20th August 2008 the Department for Transport announced that Abellio, Govia, National Express and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to bid for the new South Central franchise.
On 9th June 2009 the Department for Transport announced that Govia had retained the franchise, the combined South Central/Gatwick Express franchise ending on 19th September 2009
The new South Central franchise commenced on 20th September 2009 running through until the Spring of 2013, although it was extended until July 2015 in the wake of the InterCity West Coast refranchising process collapsing, the Secretary of State for Transport announced in October 2012 that the process would be put on hold pending the results of a review.
Gatwick Express retained its separate branding as part of the new franchise.
After expiring on 25th July 2015, the South Central franchise was merged with the Thameslink Great Northern franchise to create the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise.
This franchise is currently operated by Govia Thameslink Railway, which is also owned by the former Southern's parent company, Govia. The Gatwick Express brand identity has once again been retained.
Read More22nd June 2008 – 20th September 2009 (extended until 25th July 2015) as part of the South Central Franchise
The service began in May 1984 with air-conditioned InterCity carriages operated by British Rail.
After becoming the first portion of British Rail's InterCity sector to be converted into a separate train operating unit ready for privatisation in March 1994, Gatwick Express was privatised in April 1996 when the franchise was awarded to National Express Group, originally operating between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport only.
In April 2007 the Department for Transport announced that the Gatwick Express franchise was to be incorporated into the South Central franchise.
The Gatwick Express franchise ended on 22nd June 2008, when the service was integrated with the South Central Franchise operated by Southern (owned by Govia).
Initially, services continued unchanged, but in December 2008, the Gatwick Express was extended to start at Brighton during the morning peak period, and to terminate there in the evening peak.
On 20th August 2008 the Department for Transport announced that Abellio, Govia, National Express and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to bid for the new South Central franchise.
On 9th June 2009 the Department for Transport announced that Govia had retained the franchise, the combined South Central/Gatwick Express franchise ending on 19th September 2009
The new South Central franchise commenced on 20th September 2009 running through until the Spring of 2013, although it was extended until July 2015 in the wake of the InterCity West Coast refranchising process collapsing, the Secretary of State for Transport announced in October 2012 that the process would be put on hold pending the results of a review.
Gatwick Express retained its separate branding as part of the new franchise.
After expiring on 25th July 2015, the South Central franchise was merged with the Thameslink Great Northern franchise to create the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise.
This franchise is currently operated by Govia Thameslink Railway, which is also owned by the former Southern's parent company, Govia. The Gatwick Express brand identity has once again been retained.
