Stagecoach fails to secure renewal of South West Trains contract

The Guardian reports that Stagecoach Group has failed to secure an automatic renewal of its tender for the South West Trains franchise, including the Earlsfield route. The current contract extends until February 2017 - so no immediate change - but there will now be a competition to find a new operator.

According to the Guardian:

With the current contract due to expire in February 2017, Stagecoach had been in talks with the government over a direct award to operate the service at least until April 2019. Last month, Stagecoach said progress on talks had been disappointingly slow and that there was no certainty a deal would be reached.

Might relief - or at least loos and aircon - be in sight for Earlsfield commuters? Conservative spokesman for Tooting, Dan Watkins confirmed that investment for longer trains and other improvements has been protected.

Thanks to Dan for the tip.