Member Article

Go-Ahead disappointed at Crossrail decision

Newcastle-registered transport group Go-Ahead said it was disappointed not to have been awarded the franchise for London’s Crossrail train service.

The contract has been awarded to Hong Kong-based MTR by Transport for London (TfL), following a competitive tender process with other operators such as National Express, Arriva, and Go-Ahead.

MTR is expected to employ around 1,100 staff with up to 850 new roles.

A statement from Go-Ahead read: “The Go-Ahead Group is disappointed not to have been awarded Transport for London’s Crossrail franchise for which it submitted a joint bid with Keolis (65% Keolis/35% Go-Ahead).

“In May, Go-Ahead was awarded the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise by the Department for Transport and is working hard to prepare for the start of the contract in September 2014.

“This important and complex franchise will deliver customer improvements and value for money for taxpayers. Go-Ahead’s bid team continues to work on other upcoming opportunities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .