LONDON (AFX) - The Strategic Rail Authority said it has selected FirstGroup PLC over Go-Ahead Group PLC as the preferred bidder for the new Thames Trains franchise.
FirstGroup's existing franchise expires on March 31 2004 and the new franchise will run from April 1 2004 to March 31 2006.
The regulator said it has reduced the bids down to two options from FirstGroup and expects to confirm which of these options will be selected by December.