TONY MILES and PHILIP SHERRATT report on Abellio’s plans for the new East Midlands franchise
The East Midlands has been waiting in the franchise queue. As other deals have been let with promises of investment, a series of direct awards and extensions has hampered the potential for major improvements in the heart of the country.
That is now set to change. On 18 August Abellio took over the operation of the East Midlands franchise from Stagecoach in a new eight-year deal. The operator promises £600 million of investment, primarily driven through major improvements to rolling stock and timetables and summed up in EMR’s mantra of ‘more seats, more comfort, more often’.
LONG-TERM BRAND
The most visible early sign of the change was the unveiling of a Class 222 Meridian in EMR’s new livery at the franchise launch event in August. As with other franchises, the Department for Transport wanted a franchise name that would stay with the business when the operator changes in future.
‘It’s intended that East Midlands Railway and quite possibly the EMR logo as well will just remain with the franchise’ explains EMR Interim Managing Director Julian Edwards.
Abellio has opted to market its operation using three distinct b…
