Changes in Operators

Head Office Circular No. NP/125/14/MC

To the Secretary all Branches,
Council of Executive members,
Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Wednesday 10th July 2014
Dear Colleagues,

Changes in Operators

In recent weeks there have been a number of major changes in the operators of railways across Britain.

Caledonian Sleeper Service
Serco, a specialist outsourcing company, has won the contract to run Caledonian sleeper service and expect to pocket £800m from the 15-year deal. Serco will begin operations in April 2015.

Docklands Light Railway
Keolis Amey Docklands led by Keolis, a company majority owned by the French national railway, has won the £700m, near-seven year contract. Keolis will run the services in junction with Amey, a company owned by the Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial, which is also the biggest investor in Heathrow. Keolis Amey Docklands will take over operations in December 2014.

Thameslink, South and Great Northern
Govia (a joint venture between the Go-Ahead Group (65%) and Keolis (35%)) has been awarded the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern rail franchise under a seven year management contract. This is Britain’s largest franchise in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue, and staff. As mentioned earlier Keolis is majority owned by the French national railway. Govia will begin operations in September 2014.

RMT will continue to ensure that the livelihoods of our members are protected throughout the transition process.

Yours sincerely,


Mick Cash
Acting General Secretary