Neha Patil (Editor)

Connex South Central

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Main region(s):
  
South

National Rail abbreviation:
  
CX

Founded
  
1996

Other region(s):
  
London, South East

Parent company:
  
Connex

Connex South Central httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Franchise(s):
  
Network SouthCentral 26 May 1996 – 25 August 2001

1998 connex south central scenes train simulator 2014


Connex South Central was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Connex that operated the Network SouthCentral franchise from May 1996 until August 2001.

Contents

History

On 26 May 1996, Connex commenced operating the Network SouthCentral franchise. Later in 1996 Connex rebranded the franchise Connex South Central and introduced a white, yellow and blue livery.

The operator was criticised for poor customer service (on average one in five Connex trains was delayed) and for using old slam-door trains in the South of England, rather than spend any money on buying modern sliding-door rolling stock built to higher safety standards (though Connex ordered new trains for Connex South Eastern). This widespread disgust at filthy trains and widespread delays caused criticism of Connex, but it was poor financial management that ultimately caused Connex to lose the franchise.

In March 2000 the Strategic Rail Authority announced its intention to relet the franchise, with Connex and Govia the shortlisted bidders.

On 24 October 2000 the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority announced that Govia had been awarded the franchise and would operate it from 2003. Govia negotiated a deal with Connex to buy out the remainder of its franchise with the transaction completed in August 2001.

Services

Connex South Central ran passenger services from London Charing Cross, London Bridge and London Victoria to Beckenham Junction, Epsom Downs, East Grinstead, Uckfield, Caterham, Tattenham Corner, Horsham, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Brighton, Eastbourne and Ore.

It also ran services between Hastings and Ashford, Brighton and Hastings, Brighton, Newhaven Marine and Seaford and Brighton and Southampton as well as South London suburban services serving Crystal Palace, Sutton and West Croydon.

On 2 June 1997 Connex South Central introduced a new service from Gatwick Airport to Rugby via the West London and West Coast lines using Class 319s. In December 2000 it was curtailed to Watford Junction but extended southwards to Brighton.

Rolling stock

Connex South Central inherited a fleet of Class 205, Class 207, Class 319, Class 411, Class 421, Class 423, Class 455 and Class 456s from British Rail. To operate the Connex Express service between London Victoria and Brighton, seven Class 319s were refurbished in 1997. In 1998, all the Class 411 units were transferred to South West Trains.

Depots

Connex South Central's fleet was maintained at Brighton Lovers Walk and Selhurst depots.

References

Connex South Central Wikipedia