David Pugh from Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF) shares this latest news. Ed
The Department for Transport (DfT) has finally published the Invitation To Tender (ITT) for Island Line.
Requirement to become a “self-sustainable business”
We (KILF) are hugely disappointed that it includes a requirement on the franchise bidders, as set out below, which we have been campaigning against:
One of the objectives for the franchise is to “work with the Isle of Wight Council to secure a long-term sustainable solution to the future of the Island Line during the course of the next franchise that will enable it to become a self-sustaining business”.
Singled out
No other rail service in the country has to become a self-sustaining business. Island Line is being adversely singled out in this manner.
This is wholly discriminatory and we will now step up our fight against this, and challenging the Island’s MP Andrew Turner to also oppose it.
Details of the ITT can be found on the government’s Website.
Image: tompagenet under CC BY 2.0
