TfL starts search for next operator to run Overground

10 Apr 2015 10:31 AM

Transport for London (TfL) has issued a notice with the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) to select the next train operator to run London Overground services from November 2016, with bidders having until mid-May to register their interest.

Under the new 2016 concession TfL will bring in new trains, higher frequency services and a continuing programme of station upgrades. The contract will also include options to introduce an all-night service at weekends and to extend Gospel Oak to Barking line services to Barking Riverside in 2019. The new operator will be responsible for supporting these improvements and will be expected to continue to improve London Overground's performance levels.

Jonathan Fox, TfL's Director of London Rail, said: 'This is a very exciting time for London Overground as we expand our fleet and serve new parts of the Capital. At end of May, we will take over the running of local services out of Liverpool Street station to north east London, which will also come under the new concession. Customers can look forward to new air-conditioned walk-through trains, which will start operating from 2018, and will benefit from stations being staffed at all times when trains are running.

'This bidding process is vital to ensure London Overground's performance is maintained and improved to make services even better for our customers.'

London Overground will take over the operation of routes running from Liverpool Street station to Enfield Town, Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) and Chingford, on 31 May, as well as services between Romford and Upminster. These routes will be part of the contract now open to tender and which the successful bidder will operate from 13 November 2016.

London Overground carries over 135 million customers a year, a five-fold increase over the original numbers since its launch in 2007. With the inclusion of the additional routes due to join the London Overground network in May, this number will rise to over 176 million customers a year, equating to more than 585,000 a day.

Notes to Editors: