Go-Ahead secures London Midland train franchise extension

Go-Ahead, the transport group which runs the merged Thameslink and Southern train routes, has been granted another two years operating a key London train franchise.

The Department for Transport has given Go-Ahead a contract extension to run London Midland trains from Euston station until October 2017.

The group secured the contract on routes where it has seen revenues increase by 11% in the first half of the year, by promising extra services to passengers who travel between Euston and the Trent Valley, through key commuter towns like Watford and Hemel Hempstead.

Go-Ahead, headed by group chief executive David Brown, will also be adding new Sunday services in order to help local shoppers and businesses.

The transport operator has also said it will provide free wifi on its long-distance services between Euston, Northampton, Birmingham, Crewe, Stoke and Liverpool.