South Western Railway contract 'could end' as turnaround plan announced

摘要

South Western Railway has informed staff that its current contract could be terminated, with operation of services handed badk to the Government. Commenting on poor financial figures, the company wrote to employees stating that it continues to have discussions with the Department for Transport about rewriting its contract. These discussions have been continuing for a year without reaching a conclusion. On only his second day as Managing Director at SWR, Mark Hopwood wrote to staff: "We are having constructive talks with the DfT as regards a new contract. Another potential outcome is that the current contract will end. If this happens, the business will keep operating, just under a Government-controlled body. It doesn't affect our plans to improve services for passengers in 2020 and beyond."