London TravelWatch, the statutory consumer transport watchdog, has welcomed the announcement of Abellio as being the preferred bidder for the interim Greater Anglia franchise.

Sharon Grant, Chair, said ‘We welcome this franchise announcement for the benefits that it will bring to passengers in the London area and out into Hertfordshire and Essex.

Particularly, we welcome the commitments to extending Oyster pay as you go to stations out to Hertford East and Shenfield : a more transparent breakdown of train performance on a route by route basis : and improvements to information during disruption, stations and ticketing facilities.

We also note that Abellio has a good track record through its Northern and Merseyrail franchises in promoting and facilitating community rail initiatives and we look forward to a similar approach being taken in this franchise’.

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