Elizabeth line operator loses bid to renew contract

Transport for London says GTS Rail Operations Limited will bring "the best parts of Tokyo and London to the Elizabeth line"

The operator of the Elizabeth line has lost its bid to renew its contract, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited's operations will be taken over by GTS Rail Operations Limited, a joint venture between Go Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation.

TfL said the new operator would bring "the best parts of Tokyo and London to the Elizabeth line".

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer said she was "delighted" to appoint the contract.

"The Elizabeth line has had a transformational impact since opening in 2022 and has quickly become one of the most popular and reliable railways in the country," Ms Mann said.

The contract will begin in May and lasts for seven years, with an option to extend for an additional two, TfL said.

The deal follows a recent government pledge to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services within five years.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the move "risks further short-changing passengers and undermining the financial sustainability of the capital's transport system".

"It is deeply concerning that while other parts of our rail network are being brought back into public hands, the Elizabeth Line is being left to funnel profits to private operators.”

TfL and the mayor of London said the tendering process was needed to keep services running from May 2025 and that this approach "continues to offer a high performing and cost-effective Elizabeth line operation".

The Elizabeth line has opened up more direct journey options across London since it opened in May 2022.

Miguel Parras, Group CEO of the Go-Ahead Group, said: "We’re proud to have been chosen to be TfL's partner, together with Sumitomo Corporation and Tokyo Metro, for the operation of the iconic Elizabeth line.

"We look forward to bringing our collective expertise across UK and international rail operations to London."