New operator for Elizabeth line to include Tokyo Metro
Transport for London have announced a new group will take over the operation of Elizabeth line services from 2025.
The announcement states the group consists of Tokyo Metro, Sumitomo Corporation and the Go-Ahead group.
An interesting choice with TfL stating the decision will bring “the best parts of Tokyo and London to the Elizabeth line to optimise the current operation and prepare for the increase in services to Old Oak Common when it is planned to open in 2030”.
Due to delays in opening the current operator MTR has only been in charge of passenger services for a few short years before transfer in 2025 to GTS.
The contract runs for seven years with a number of changes in that time including the introduction of 10 new trains to serve Old Oak Common which will interchange with HS2.
Go-Ahead
Go-Ahead currently operate buses across the country and Thameslink in a joint venture named GoVia with Keolis.
You may remember GoVia also operated Southeastern railway until discovered it had concealed £25 million of public funds it should have handed to government. At the time then Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stated:
“LSER’s behaviour was simply unacceptable and this penalty sends a clear message that the Government, and taxpayers, will not stand for it.”
Though it appears to have done little harm gaining future contracts.
As for TfL, Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Elizabeth line has had a transformational impact since opening in 2022 and has quickly become one of the most popular and reliable railways in the country. The railway has provided new, more direct journey options which has led to huge numbers of customers using our safe and accessible trains and stations.
“I am delighted that we have appointed GTS Rail Operations to continue to build on the success of the Elizabeth line and I look forward to working with them.”
Opposition
Meanwhile the RMT union have opposed the move claiming, “Last year, the Elizabeth Line saw £7.6 million in private dividends flow out of the network—an amount equivalent to a 2.4% reduction in passenger fares.”.
Mick Lynch stated:
“It is deeply concerning that while other parts of our rail network are being brought back into public hands, the Elizabeth Line is being left to funnel profits to private operators.
“This approach prioritises corporate shareholders over London’s passengers and workers, and it’s a missed opportunity to reinvest every penny into improving services and keeping fares affordable.”
“The Mayor must act on the opportunity to bring the Elizabeth Line and London Overground under direct public control as soon as possible. The public overwhelmingly supports public ownership of the railways, and we will continue to campaign to ensure these vital services work for Londoners, not foreign shareholders or private equity firms.”
Four organisations bid in total including the incumbent MTR, which operates the Hong Kong Metro.
And also with Alstom to manufacture 10 more Class 345 trains that will add the total of 9-Car trains from 70 to 80 trains. Since TfL wanted 10 more Class 345 trains because of HS2 that wasn’t going to extend to London Euston.
Which now it has been confirmed that London Euston station development is now given the go ahead as part of HS2. I do think that the GTS franchise take over is a good idea and MTR have made the Elizabeth Line a better rail service for London since it first began operation in 2022.
Perhaps it’s time to get a new operator to take over the Elizabeth Line and to extend it to Dartford and Gravesend and order more extra 9-Car trains as well as upgrading the existing Class 345 trains to run on DC 750v 3rd Rail. If that’s what the plan is for the Elizabeth Line next year.