EAST Hampshire MP Damian Hinds has welcomed the announcement made by the Department for Transport that two train companies have been shortlisted for the South Western franchise bid.

The two companies are First South Western Trains Limited and Stagecoach South West Limited, which currently operates the franchise as South West Trains.

The new operator is due to take over the franchise in June 2017.

In revealing the shortlist, Rail Minister Claire Perry is quoted as saying: “The South Western franchise has some of the busiest routes in the country, serving a diverse range of passengers and places.

“It is vital that we have the best partner to help us meet the challenge of delivering better journeys for all customers using these services.

“We are investing in additional capacity and have ambitious plans for smart ticketing, customer service and improved connectivity across the South Western network, to give passengers real benefits across the region and beyond.”

The current franchise is operated by South West Trains and covers urban, suburban, regional, and long-distance routes between London Waterloo, Alton, Reading, Bristol, Exeter, Weymouth, and Portsmouth.

It also includes the Island Line on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Hinds said: “I am pleased there will be a competitive bid for this franchise – one of the busiest routes in the country – and there is a clear focus on requiring them to demonstrate how they will deliver better journeys for passengers.

“I have just completed my own submission for the invitation-to-tender public consultation, highlighting areas of concern on both the Alton and Portsmouth lines. Capacity, and specifically the use of three and two-carriage formats, remains a key issue for rail users, and this needs to be addressed as a priority.

“The invitation-to-tender consultation must also take account of the increase in both homes and workplaces coming into Whitehill and Bordon, as well as general growth and higher use of rail travel across the region.”