The move follows public consultation as part of the process to award a new South Central rail franchise.

Four companies have been shortlisted to bid for services in south London and parts of Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the initiative would increase security and reduce fare dodging.

Transport minister Andrew Adonis said: "We have worked closely with rail user groups such as Passenger Focus to develop these requirements.

"The South Central franchise provides a vital commuter link into London from the south coast and provides important linkages into south coast towns such as Hastings and Worthing.

"By setting more robust requirements for bidders, we are ensuring future rail passengers have frequent and reliable services that are comfortable and safe."

Cycle bays

National Express, Stagecoach, Govia and NedRailways are contesting the new franchise and were formally invited to submit tenders on Monday.

The new contract will start on 20 September 2009.

The DfT said that new ticket gates will be installed at 14 stations in south London before September 2009.

Another 15 stations outside London will have new gates, and those at locations such as Worthing, Eastbourne, Chichester, Lewes and Horsham will be staffed for longer.

All trains will be fitted with CCTV and an extra 1,500 secure cycle bays would be provided at stations - 500 more than originally announced.

The government has already said there will be 1,000 extra car parking spaces.

The new franchise will have 10% more capacity than existing services.

Other changes already announced include later services from central London to Sutton, Tulse Hill and Crystal Palace and on the Uckfield line.

There will be a new Sunday service between Brighton and Southampton and pre-paid Oyster cards will be valid across much of the franchise area.

See also:

41 more stations to be staffed at night in rail safety drive

London Evening Standard: 03.11.08
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent

Pledge: Lord Adonis

FORTY-ONE more stations in London will be manned until the last service at night from next year after ministers ordered safety improvements.

Every train on the new South Central franchise will also be equipped with CCTV under the measures.

The criteria for the new franchise, announced today, also includes more late-night and weekend services and longer trains at pinchpoints to increase capacity by 25 per cent.

The new franchise, which starts next September, will serve the capital, Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex including the Brighton line.

The improvements come after two Evening Standard campaigns, Safer Stations and A Seat For Every Commuter, called for improved station security and more capacity on key lines.

But experts say longer trains are not expected to keep up with growing rail use. The National Audit Office predicts overcrowding will get worse while fares rise faster than inflation.

Increases in regulated fares - peak time, season and saver tickets - will, however, be capped overall at retail price index inflation plus one per cent, and no individual fares will go up by more than RPI plus three per cent.

Currently, the cost of some journeys can go up by RPI plus six per cent.

One thousand extra parking spaces and 1,500 additional secure cycling bays will be created on the network.

Transport Minister Lord Adonis said: "By setting more robust requirements for bidders, we are ensuring future rail passengers have frequent, reliable services that are comfortable and safe."

Improvements on South Central, which will take in the existing Southern franchise, the Gatwick Express and the Tonbridge-Redhill section of Southeastern, will include:

* 41 more stations in London manned from the first to last service.
* New late-night services in south London on Fridays and Saturdays with most routes having trains until 00.30.
* Four trains per hour on most routes in south London until about 23.00 Monday to Saturday. Extra services in south London on Sundays.
* All south London stations being refurbished.
* New hourly Brighton to Southampton services on Sundays.
* Additional late-night services from Brighton to Worthing. Later services on the Uckfield route.
* Ticket gates at Worthing, Eastbourne, Chichester, Lewes and Horsham manned for longer.

The Department for Transport is funding the installation of ticket gates at 14 stations in south London including Peckham Rye and South Croydon as the Oyster card is rolled out.

Four bidders have been shortlisted: current operator Go Via; NedRailways, a subsidiary of the main train operator in Holland; Stagecoach and National Express. The franchise will run until July 2015.

The extra services are meant to alleviate the disruption caused by the upgrade of London Bridge station.

See also:

Better rail services for London and South East England

Department for Transport: 3 November 2008

Rail services across south-east England are set for a major boost under new franchise requirements, Transport Minister Andrew Adonis announced today. Passengers in south London and parts of Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire will benefit from more trains on key lines - particularly in the evenings and over weekends - increased capacity at peak times and improved security on both platforms and trains. This includes significantly increasing the number of key stations staffed at night.

In addition, all trains will be fitted with CCTV, 1,500 extra secure cycling bays and 1,000 extra parking spaces will be provided and stations across the network - including every one in south London - will be refurbished. Andrew Adonis said:

"We want all rail passengers to receive an excellent service and that is why we have worked closely with rail user groups such as Passenger focus to develop these requirements.

"The South Central franchise provides a vital commuter link into London from the South coast and provides important linkages into South Coast towns such as Hastings and Worthing and so it is essential we give passengers access to the best facilities.

"By setting more robust requirements for bidders, we are ensuring future rail passengers have frequent and reliable services that are comfortable and safe."

For the first time bidders will also be instructed to set targets for passenger satisfaction, with fines in place if these are not met. In addition, the provision of new ticketing barriers will mean passengers in South London will be able to use Oyster cards at more stations across the network.

The Department will also fund, and TfL will install, ticket gates at around 14 stations in south London before September 2009. Stations such as Peckham Rye and South Croydon will see ticket gates installed over the coming months to reduce ticketless travel and improve security across the network. Managing Director of TfL London Rail, Ian Brown said:

"We have been working closely with the DfT on the specification for the new franchise and are delighted that it will provide such considerable improvements for rail passengers in South London, Surrey and Sussex. "The acceptance of Oyster pay as you go and the increase in frequency of services on these routes - along with later trains to provide better links with the Tube network - will all contribute to achieving a more integrated transport network for south Londoners.

"On top of this TfL is funding additional improvements to the franchise that will generate significant benefits for customers. This money will pay for a programme of cleaning and repairs to stations within the London area, as well as additional staff and more cycle parking."

Notes for Editors

1. Proposed service enhancements include:

* New hourly Brighton to Southampton service on Sundays

* Additional late night services from Brighton to Worthing

* New late night services in South London on Friday and Saturday nights with most routes having trains until 0030

* 4 trains per hour on most routes in South London to around 2300 Monday to Saturday

* Additional services in South London on Sundays

* Later services on the Uckfield route

* Requirement to operate some services on Boxing Day

* 1000 additional car parking spaces

* 1500 additional cycle parking spaces

* Gatelines at locations such as Worthing, Eastbourne, Chichester, Lewes and Horsham staffed for longer - to increase security and reduce ticketless travel

* New gatelines installed at an additional 15 stations outside London

* Station Travel Plans developed at 30 stations

* Help Points provided at 20 additional stations.

2. Alongside the Department for Transport's Access for All and National Stations Improvement Programmes, TfL will fund a programme of station deep cleaning and refreshment across south London, to enhance the South Central network. TfL's London Overground operator will also take over the running of 10 stations at which the new East London Line services will call from 2010. These are:

* New Cross Gate
* Brockley
* Honor Oak park
* Forest Hill
* Sydenham
* Crystal Palace
* Penge West
* Anerley
* Norwood Junction
* West Croydon

3. In line with fares policy, overall regulated fares will be capped at RPI +1%, and the Government is reducing the amount to which any individual regulated fare can rise to RPI +3%.

4. Rail companies are to be formally invited to tender for the South Central rail network franchise, which is set to be renewed in 2009, on Monday 3 November 2008.

5. Four companies have been shortlisted to submit a bid - the current operator Go Via, Stagecoach, National Express and NedRailways. Bidders will have until the 18 February 2009 to submit their bid. The successful bidder will be announced in late May / early June. The new contract will start on the 20 September 2009.

6. The new requirements have been developed following a consultation with local authorities, members of the public, rail user groups, public bodies, elected officials and businesses.

7. The new franchise will require the network operator to set their own National Passenger Score (NPS) targets in line with targets in previous years. New rules mean that an operator will face fines of up to £500,000 for failing to meet these targets.

8. The changes to be introduced to the Gatwick Express this December will be maintained in the new franchise.

9. The increased level of service will contribute significantly to reducing the expected disruption from planned works to upgrade London Bridge station. The invitation to tender has been drafted to ensure bidders provide detailed plans as to how they would mitigate this and better manage passengers and provide high levels of good quality information.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk