Great Western Railway: Data & Information
20/09/2015 – Present
In March 2012, Arriva, First Group, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for the new Great Western franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013. But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the invitation to tender (ITT). The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until the end of July 2028. The new franchise would include the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains, capacity enhancements and smart ticketing. The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the Department for Transport (DfT) reviewed the way rail franchises were awarded.
In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been aborted, and that First Group's contract had been extended until October 2013. A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013, and subsequently extended until March 2019. A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015.
Rebranded from First Great Western to Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20th September 2015 following the introduction of a new green livery in recognition of the former Great Western Railway which existed between 1835 and 1947.
In November 2017, the DfT announced its intention to negotiate a further extension for the franchise until April 2022 with an option to extend for a further two years. A new contract was agreed on 30th March 2020, running for three years, extendable to four.
In May 2018, TfL Rail took over services from Paddington to Hayes and Harlington, and in December 2019 it took over some stopping services to Reading.
In March 2020, a further extension to 31st March 2023 was awarded by the DfT with an option to extend for a further year.
Read MoreIn March 2012, Arriva, First Group, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for the new Great Western franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013. But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the invitation to tender (ITT). The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until the end of July 2028. The new franchise would include the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains, capacity enhancements and smart ticketing. The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the Department for Transport (DfT) reviewed the way rail franchises were awarded.
In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been aborted, and that First Group's contract had been extended until October 2013. A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013, and subsequently extended until March 2019. A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015.
Rebranded from First Great Western to Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20th September 2015 following the introduction of a new green livery in recognition of the former Great Western Railway which existed between 1835 and 1947.
In November 2017, the DfT announced its intention to negotiate a further extension for the franchise until April 2022 with an option to extend for a further two years. A new contract was agreed on 30th March 2020, running for three years, extendable to four.
In May 2018, TfL Rail took over services from Paddington to Hayes and Harlington, and in December 2019 it took over some stopping services to Reading.
In March 2020, a further extension to 31st March 2023 was awarded by the DfT with an option to extend for a further year.
