Passenger Focus’s analysis and recommendations for the East Midlands franchise

24 March 2015

The current East Midlands franchise – operated by Stagecoach-subsidiary East Midlands Trains (EMT) – will end in October 2015. It is anticipated that the Department for Transport (DfT) will negotiate a new two-year franchise with EMT, known as a direct award, which will see EMT run services until October 2017. A new franchise, awarded after a full competitive tender by DfT, would commence at that point.

This document was produced to help inform discussions between the DfT and EMT. It provides high-level analysis and makes a number of recommendations for the Direct Award period. We recognise the limit to what can be achieved in a two-year franchise and believe we have been realistic with our suggestions.

For more information about the East Midlands franchise click here.