Current franchise will end next June, but it is not clear who will take over.
(Permalink) Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Nationalisation Serco

Decision will have no impact on passengers or the frontline staff of LSER. The government will take over running services on Southeastern from 17 October 2021, after a serious breach of the franchise agreements good faith obligation in relation to financial matters was identified, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced today (27 September 2021).
(Permalink) Department for Transport Franchise Operator of Last Resort Southeastern

Department for Transport finds rail operator did not declare more than £25m of historical taxpayer funding. The government is taking over the running of Southeastern railway services from Go-Ahead after discovering a serious breach of the franchise agreement. The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said an investigation by the Department for Transport found that since October 2014 Southeastern had not declared more than £25m of historical taxpayer funding that should have been returned, and described this as a serious breach of the franchise agreements good faith obligation.
(Permalink) Department for Transport Franchise Go-Ahead Govia Keolis Operator of Last Resort Serious Fraud Office Southeastern

The fortunes of Brian Souter's firm seem to have closely followed those of privatised public transport in the UK. It is testament to their dwindling empires that the proposed merger of Stagecoach and National Express, the UK's biggest rail and bus operators not so long ago, will not unduly trouble the competition authority. Stagecoach, which a decade back looked to swallow up National Express, now is set to be subsumed by its rival. The turnaround in its fortunes has been influenced by foreign ventures, and the pandemic has magnified all of its problems. But the firm's journey has notably followed the arc of privatised public transport in Britain.
(Permalink) Bus Franchise Merger National Express Railway Stagecoach

It was announced by the Scottish government that the current Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises will be extended. [See announcement of 20th below. -RS]
(Permalink) Caledonian Sleeper EMA Emergency Measures Agreement Franchise ScotRail

The Scottish Government has announced plans to extend the current Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises.

The EMAs which were put in place in March 2021 will now be in place until December 2021.

These agreements will carry on to help to secure the sustainability of Scotlands rail services through this transitional period.

Train operators will continue to receive payments to cover operating costs as necessary because of reduced revenues with a small incentive payment linked strictly to good performance.
(Permalink) Caledonian Sleeper EMA Emergency Measures Agreement Franchise ScotRail

Abellio was given the cash as part of help during the pandemic in addition to franchise payments.
(Permalink) Abellio Franchise Nationalisation ScotRail

Union leaders have called on ministers to 'stop the excuses' and commit to taking ScotRail into public ownership.
(Permalink) Franchise ScotRail

FirstGroup has reached an agreement with the Government over the termination of two rail franchises, the transport giant said.
(Permalink) Avanti West Coast FirstGroup Franchise South Western Railway