South Western was a railway franchise for the provision of passenger services from London Waterloo to destinations in Surrey, Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and Devon on the South West, Portsmouth Direct and West of England main lines. In 2007, the franchise was combined with the smaller franchise for the Island Line on the Isle of Wight.
History South West Trains
In December 1995, the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising awarded the franchise to South West Trains, a subsidiary of Stagecoach."First three franchises let" Rail Privatisation News issue 21 11 January 1996 page 1 Operations started on 4 February 1996.
In April 2001, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) awarded Stagecoach a new franchise after it beat bids from FirstGroup/NedRailways and Sea Containers."Stagecoach to keep SWT" Rail Business Intelligence issue 148 12 April 2001 page 6 The 2001 franchises awarded were (as promulgated) to run for 20 years, but in 2002 the SRA reduced the duration of franchises and South West Trains was awarded a three-year franchise starting on 1 February 2004.
In December 2005, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that Arriva, FirstGroup, MTR/Sea Containers, National Express and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to tender for the new South Western franchise, which combined the South West Trains and Island Line Trains franchises, both being operated by Stagecoach.South Western stakeholder briefing Department for Transport 4 April 2006 National Express and MTR/Sea Containers later withdrew. In September 2006, the DfT awarded the franchise to Stagecoach commencing on 4 February 2007 for a period of ten years.
In March 2013, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the DfT were in talks with Stagecoach to extend the franchise until April 2019.Railway plan puts new focus on passengers Secretary of State for Transport 26 March 2013 However, after failing to negotiate an extension, in July 2015 the DfT announced the franchise would be relet.South West Trains franchise out to competition BBC News 7 July 2015South West Trains to be refranchised Railway Gazette International 7 July 2015
South Western Railway
In February 2016, the DfT announced FirstGroup and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.Two companies shortlisted to compete for the next South Western rail franchise Department for Transport 4 February 2016Stagecoach and FirstGroup shortlisted for South Western franchise Railway Gazette International 4 February 2016 In June 2016, MTR took a 30% shareholding in the FirstGroup bid.MTR and First partner for South Western bid Rail 16 June 2016MTR joins FirstGroup's bid for South Western rail franchise Railway Gazette International 16 June 2016
In July 2016, the DfT issued the Invitation to Tender.Better journeys on the way for rail passengers across the South Western network Department for Transport 4 July 2016South Western invitation to tender issued Railway Gazette International 4 July 2016 In March 2017, the DfT awarded the franchise to First/MTR owned South Western Railway (SWR) to commence on 20 August 2017. It will run until at least August 2024, with an option for the DfT to extend for a further year.FirstGroup and MTR welcome South Western rail franchise award London Stock Exchange 27 March 2017First MTR joint venture wins South Western franchise Railway Gazette International 27 March 2017
In 2021, following COVID-19 emergency measures, the DfT gave SWR a direct award contract, replacing its franchise, until 28 May 2023. In February 2023, this was further extended until 25 May 2025.
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