Paul Corfield wrote:
The winner of the London Overground concession is MTR Laing according
to an internal notice posted on the TfL intranet. Contract to be
formally signed on 2 July 2007.

Full Press Release from the GLA website: [1]

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*Milestone reached in transformation of London's overland rail network
as operator is announced*

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today announced that services on a
key part of London's overland rail network, to be radically transformed
and extended by 2010, will be operated by MTR Laing.

From November 11 this year, 'London Overground' services will operate
on the North London Railway, which is currently operated by private firm
Silverlink Metro.

The new system, brought closer to public control through a tightly
managed contract with Transport for London, will bring far-reaching
improvements with a total of £1.4 billion of investment, more staff, new
trains, a vastly upgraded service, and refurbished and new stations. The
Mayor will set fares, and revenue will be retained by Transport for
London for reinvestment in the transport network.

London Overground will serve 20 of the capital's 33 boroughs, its
high-frequency metro style services also operating on the East London
Railway when it opens in 2010, following Transport for London's £1bn
extension of the East London Line.

London Overground services will create 400 more jobs over the next three
years, and all those currently employed on the East London Line will be
offered new roles within London Underground.

London Overground will deliver a wide range of benefits to passengers
including:

* Safer stations, with staff at all stations during hours of
operation, and improved CCTV

* Oyster readers at all stations, with better revenue protection to
reduce fare evasion

* A fleet of new trains between Gospel Oak and Barking from 2009,
in addition to the 44 new London Overground electric trains already
ordered by Transport for London

* The refurbishment of all stations

* A commitment by the operator that, by 2012, 94 per cent of trains
will arrive on time

* Increased levels of passenger satisfaction

* Improved track and signalling, meaning less disruption and more
reliable journeys

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said:
"This contract paves the way for the radical revitalisation of London’s
rail services, which have suffered from years of neglect and
under-investment. With London Overground we are investing over £1.4
billion to transform this part of London's railway network so that it
will provide passengers with the levels of staffing, safety and security
and customer service that they deserve.

"By joining together the North and East London Railways ahead of the
2012 Games, we will create a new rail artery around the city serving 20
London Boroughs, including some of the poorest. This will not only
create new opportunities and encourage inclusion across our diverse
economic and cultural centres, but it will also be a vital means of
increasing capacity on public transport as London’s populations grows
over the next twenty years."

Ian Brown, Managing Director of TfL, London Rail said: "The London
Overground contract will provide a safe and reliable railway for
Londoners, improving passengers’ access to economic and leisure centres
around the city, and regenerating areas along the route."

As part of the restructuring of these rail services, 11 Silverlink
stations are to be transferred to direct London Underground control when
the new London Overground contract comes into force. The range of
improvements to these stations will match those on the London Overground
network.

The final signing of the contract with MTR Laing will take place on 2 July.

*Notes to Editors*

1. London Overground is a new rail service, which will run through
20 of London’s 33 boroughs. It is the latest addition to the Transport
for London modes and will have it’s own orange and blue roundel.

2. The London Overground network comprises the North London Railway
and the East London Railway once open in June 2010. The North London
Railway includes: the North London Line (Richmond to Stratford); the
London Euston to Watford Junction local line; the West London Line
(Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction via Kensington Olympia) and the
Gospel Oak to Barking line

3. The 44 new trains bought by Transport for London at a cost of
£223m include: 24 dual-voltage three-car trains for the North London
Railway from 2009; 20 four-car trains for the East London Railway when
it opens in 2010

4. The 11 stations to come under London Underground control a
Queen's Park to Harrow & Wealdstone on the Bakerloo line, excluding
Willesden Junction; Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury on the District line and
Silverlink platforms at Blackhorse Road, Highbury & Islington and West
Brompton stations.

5. London Overground services will be featured on the world famous
tube map from November.


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Cheers,

Barry

[1] http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=12398