Southeastern

Overview
Franchise(s)	Integrated Kent 1 April 2006 – 16 October 2021 (2006-04-01 –2021-10-16)
Main region(s)	Greater London,Kent
Other region(s)	East Sussex
Fleet	Class 375Electrostar Class 376Electrostar Class 377Electrostar Class 395Javelin Class 465Networker Class 466Networker Class 707Desiro City
Stations called at	180
Stations operated	164
Parent company	Govia (joint venture between the Go-Ahead Group (owning 65%) and the French company Keolis (35%))
Reporting mark	SE
Predecessor	South Eastern Trains
Successor	Southeastern (SE Trains Limited)
Other
Website	www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Route map

London & South Eastern Railway Limited,^[1] trading asSoutheastern, was a Britishtrain operating company owned byGovia that operated passenger rail services inSouth East England. It was the key operator of commuter and regional services in South East London andKent, and also served parts ofEast Sussex.

Southeastern commenced operations on 1 April 2006 as thefranchisee for the new Integrated Kent franchise (IKF), replacing the publicly ownedSouth Eastern Trains on the formerSouth Eastern franchise. Initially set to operate the franchise for a period of eight years, the company received numerous extensions and was at one point contracted to operate through to 2022. However, the franchise was terminated early after it was discovered that the company had held onto £25 million of unaccounted-for taxpayer money. On 16 October 2021, operations were transferred to theDepartment for Transport-owned operatorSoutheastern.

Southeastern served the main London stations ofCharing Cross,Victoria,Cannon Street,London Bridge,Waterloo East andSt Pancras. The Southeastern network has a route mileage of 540, with 179 stations. About 70% of its services run to and from London.^[2]

Southeastern trains operated on three main routes: theSouth Eastern Main Line fromLondon Cannon Street andLondon Charing Cross toDover viaSevenoaks; theChatham Main Line betweenLondon Victoria and Dover/Ramsgate via theMedway towns; andHigh Speed 1 fromLondon St Pancras. On 14 December 2009, Southeastern launched full operations of its high-speed services using a purpose-built fleet ofBritish Rail Class 395 high speed trains. Southeastern operated special high speed services using its Class 395s during the2012 Summer Olympics andParalympics under theOlympic Javelin brand.

Southeastern operated numerous commuter services that served South-East and South London as well as Kent, many of which came under theMetro brand. Between March 2009 and May 2012, due to substantial reconstruction work atLondon Blackfriars as part of theThameslink Programme, Southeastern services that previously terminated at Blackfriars, mostly fromSevenoaks via theCatford loop, were extended to Kentish Town, St Albans, Luton or Bedford. During 2016,Transport for London (TfL) proposed to take over several Southeastern-ran commuter services within the city. However, the planned redistribution was not approved by the British government. Despite this decision, in the late 2010s, several services formerly operated by Southeastern were reorganised as Thameslink routes, including services toSevenoaks andGillingham.

It was owned byGovia, a joint venture betweenGo-Ahead Group andKeolis, which also operates the neighbouringSouthern franchise that overlapped with Southeastern in some western areas.

During December 2003, theStrategic Rail Authority announced thatDanish State Railways/Stagecoach,FirstGroup,Govia andMTR/Sea Containers had been shortlisted to bid for the new Integrated Kent franchise, which would replace the South Eastern franchise and include services onHigh Speed 1 operating fromSt Pancras.^[3] In November 2005, theDepartment for Transport (DfT) announced Govia had been awarded the franchise; the services operated bySouth Eastern Trains were transferred to Southeastern on 1 April 2006.^[4][5][6]

During November 2007, thesecond phase ofHigh Speed 1 was opened to traffic, resulting in the freeing up of train paths on the traditional network previously used byEurostar, which permitted Southeastern to increase certain services two months later.^[7] During December 2008, as part of the franchise agreement, responsibility for theRedhill to Tonbridge Line was transferred toSouthern.^[8]

On 14 December 2009, Southeastern launched full operations of its high-speed services using its newly procured fleet ofBritish Rail Class 395 high speed trains.^[8][9] Seven million journeys were recorded on in the first year of this service's operation.^[10] The introduction of Southeastern's high-speed services was typically regarded as successful, achieving good reliability and passenger satisfaction figures, as well as being credited for an increase in passenger numbers above that already being experienced on the Kent network.^[11][12]

The initial terms of the franchise had included a period of eight years, along with a two-year option dependent on performance targets being met. During March 2011, having fulfilled these performance criteria, it was announced that the DfT had granted Govia a two-year franchise extension until March 2014.^[13]

During March 2009, the bay platforms atLondon Blackfriars were temporarily closed for reconstruction as part of theThameslink Programme; accordingly, Southeastern services that previously terminated at Blackfriars, mostly fromSevenoaks via theCatford loop, were extended to Kentish Town, St Albans, Luton or Bedford.^[14] When the station fully reopened with new bay platforms in May 2012, these services continued to run, but in the evening and on weekends (when the station had been closed), instead of terminating at Victoria, services terminated at Blackfriars.^{[clarification needed][15]}

Following the DfT review after thecancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise process in 2012, extensions were granted to the franchises due for renewal in the near future. In 2013, the coalition government opted to extend Southeastern's franchise without competitive tender from March 2014 to June 2018,^[16][17][18] and in 2016 further extended it until December 2018.^[19][20] The Invitation to Tender was to be released in September 2017 for contract award in August 2018.^[21]

Amidst the2016–18 United Kingdom rail strikes that impacted numerous train operators across the nation, Southeastern cleaning staff, outsourced toemployment agency Wettons, voted to stageindustrial action in a dispute over pay and working conditions in September 2017.^[22][23] A strike, which involved Wettons cleaning staff affiliated with theNational Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), took place on 19 October 2017 and lasted for 24 hours.^[24][25] There was no further industrial action, although negotiations between the RMT, Southeastern and Wettons continued for some time.^{[needs update]}

As part of the 2018Thameslink Programme, several of the routes formerly operated by Southeastern changed into Thameslink routes, including services toSevenoaks andGillingham. These services using theClass 700 now run fromBedford through the London Core viaLondon Bridge and on to theKent Main Line or theNorth Kent Line.^{[citation needed]}

During January 2016,Transport for London (TfL) announced its intention to take over the London suburban parts of the franchise from 2018, integrating the routes into a proposed metro network.^[26][27] However, in December 2016, Transport SecretaryChris Grayling rejected this proposed reorganisation; the decision was quickly condemned byMayor of LondonSadiq Khan.^[28][29]

In June 2017, the DfT announced that four parties, comprising anAbellio/East Japan Railway Company/Mitsui consortium, incumbentGovia,Stagecoach andTrenitalia, had been shortlisted to bid for the next South Eastern franchise.^[30][31] On 10 August 2017, Trenitalia withdrew its interest in the franchise.^[32] During November 2017, the Invitation to Tender for the next franchise was issued.^[33] During February 2018,Alstom joined Stagecoach's bid.^[34]

The bid evaluation process was protracted, contributing to short term extensions of the franchise to the incumbent operator.^[35][36][37] The franchise competition was cancelled on 7 August 2019 and the DfT instead took up a further extension and the operator was to run services until 31 March 2020.^[38][39] However, a new contract was then agreed on 30 March 2020, running up to 16 October 2021, with a possible extension to 31 March 2022.^[40][41]

During September 2021, the DfT announced it would be terminating Govia's South Eastern franchise after revenue declaration discrepancies involving £25 million of public money were discovered. Secretary of State for TransportGrant Shapps stated that this was a serious breach of the "good faith" obligation in the franchise agreement.^[42][43][44] Following the announcement, shares inGo-Ahead Group (joint owner of Govia) fell 22% and their Chief Financial Officer resigned.^[43] During December 2021, Go-Ahead issued an admission of "serious errors and failures", while the trading of its shares on theLondon Stock Exchange was suspended as the company was unable to publish financial results.^[45]

In February 2022, Go-Ahead announced the outcome of investigations into the termination of the franchise; it found that "serious errors had been made” since 2006, with the expected cost to the company to be over £80 million.^[46][47] The amount owed to the DfT was increased to £51.3 million, with errors dating back to the start of the franchise in 2006.^[46][47] Go-Ahead also stated that they expect to have to pay a fine to the DfT, setting aside up to £30 million for this.^[48] Go-Ahead also stated that they may also owe DfT an additional £21.3 million, related to a dispute over profit sharing.^[47] In March 2022, the government imposed a £23.5 million penalty in addition to the £64 million that it is seeking to recover from the former operator.^[49]

On 17 October 2021, government-ownedSoutheastern (SE Trains Limited) took over the franchise as anoperator of last resort.^[43][50]

v t e Southeastern High Speed
Legend
St Pancras International Stratford International Ebbsfleet International Gravesend Strood Snodland Maidstone West Rochester Chatham Gillingham Rainham Sittingbourne Faversham Whitstable Chestfield & Swalecliffe Herne Bay Birchington-on-Sea Westgate-on-Sea Margate Broadstairs Dumpton Park Ramsgate Thanet Parkway Ashford International Canterbury West Sandwich Deal Walmer Martin Mill Folkestone West Folkestone Central Dover Priory
High Speed 1 Station with limited or peak-hour-only High Speed service

Southeastern introduced a full timetable of domestic high-speed services brandedSoutheastern Highspeed overHigh Speed 1 betweenLondon St Pancras andAshford International on 13 December 2009; a limited preview service had been running since 29 June 2009.^[51] High-speed trains use High Speed 1 calling atStratford International andEbbsfleet International. Trains from London to the Medway towns andFaversham leave the high-speed line at Ebbsfleet and continue via theNorth Kent line andChatham Main Line. Trains forDover Priory andMargate leave the high-speed line at Ashford International. A limited peak-hour service now also operates between St Pancras and Maidstone West via Ebbsfleet and Strood.^{[citation needed]}

When bidding for the franchise, Southeastern made a point of advertising part-ownerSNCF's experience operating integrated high-speed train services on the FrenchTGV network.^[52] A fleet of 29 six-coachShinkansen-derived high-speed 'A-trains' were built in Japan byHitachi for this route.^[53] Known asClass 395, this was Hitachi's first train sale in Britain. The colour scheme for the high-speed trains' livery was dark blue. The services were marketed as Southeastern Highspeed, and some of the trains were named after British Olympians such asSteve Redgrave andBen Ainslie.^[54][55]

At the same time, there was the largest change to the timetable in the area in 40 years. With the fast trains now travelling over High Speed 1, the Charing Cross to Ashford stopping service was extended to Dover, Canterbury and Ramsgate. Fares for journeys that included the High Speed 1 section of line (between St Pancras International and Gravesend) generally included a surcharge.^[56]

Southeastern operated special high speed services using the Class 395 during the2012 Summer Olympics andParalympics, branded as theOlympic Javelin^[57] or Javelin.^[58][59] As a result, the class is still sometimes referred to as theJavelin.^[60][61]

Announced as part of the successfulLondon 2012 Olympic bid, it was an integral part of a plan to improve public transport in London in readiness for the Olympics, an area of the bid that was initially regarded as being poor by theInternational Olympic Committee (IOC).^[62] TheBritish Olympic Association applied to registerJavelin as a UK trademark on 19 July 2005 and this was granted on 2 June 2006.^[63]

The service ran for the duration of both games, betweenSt Pancras International station andEbbsfleet International station, viaStratford International station, which is close to theOlympic Park.^[64] Eight trains per hour ran between St Pancras and Ebbsfleet, calling at Stratford, replacing the usual East Kent highspeed service. Two of these were extended to Ashford and one to Faversham. Between 11pm and 1am the service between St Pancras and Ebbsfleet was increased to twelve per hour.^[65]

At St Pancras, there is an interchange with theLondon Underground and with trains to/fromthe Midlands, Scotland, and theNorth of England. For track capacity reasons,Eurostar trains, which have never called at Stratford, did not do so during the games.^{[64][failed verification]} It was expected that over 80% of Olympic spectators would travel to and from the venues by rail. Services to theOlympic Park were planned to offer a total capacity of 240,000 travellers per hour, some 25,000 of whom were expected to use the Javelin service.^[66]

Southeastern was the key operator forKent, and also servesEast Sussex. 'Mainline' services connect central London withDover,Folkestone,Hastings,Royal Tunbridge Wells,Ramsgate,Chatham,Maidstone andCanterbury. The backbone fleet on these services is theClass 375 Electrostar, althoughClass 377 Electrostars andClass 465/9 Networkers are also used on some routes.

In December 2009, Southeastern saw 'Highspeed' trains stopping at 'Mainline' stations, and some longer timings on 'Mainline' services as trains called at more stations.^{[citation needed]} Services to Tonbridge were maintained at six trains per hour off-peak, two per hour going forward to Ashford and beyond, two per hour to Hastings, and two per hour terminating at Tunbridge Wells. With high-speed services reaching Faversham, the half-hourly Victoria to Faversham stopping service was replaced with an hourly service to Gillingham and additional stops on the "fast" services toLondon Victoria. On theMaidstone East Line, services fromLondon Cannon Street toAshford International viaMaidstone East and fromLondon Victoria to Maidstone East and toCanterbury West via Ashford were replaced by a half-hourly Victoria to Ashford service. TheStrood to Paddock Wood service was extended toTonbridge. The Sittingbourne to Sheerness on Sea branch line also comes under 'Mainline' services,^{[citation needed]} usingClass 375 Electrostars which replacedClass 466 Networkers. Mainline services use a dark blue livery, similar to that of the "Javelin" high-speed trains.

Southeastern served South-East London, South London and on into Kent, its central stations beingLondon Blackfriars,London Bridge,Charing Cross,Cannon Street,London Victoria andWaterloo East.'Metro' trains servedGreenwich,New Cross,Lewisham,Dartford,Gravesend,Woolwich Arsenal,Hayes,Peckham Rye,Bromley South,Bickley,Bexleyheath,Petts Wood,Orpington andSevenoaks.^[67]Southeastern ranClass 376 Electrostar, andClass 466 andClass 465 Networkers for 'Metro' services, although aClass 375 Electrostar was used on occasion. The livery for these was white with the Southeastern logo, which was also formerly used for "Mainline" services.

As of August 2023, the weekday off-peak service pattern, with frequencies in trains per hour (tph), was:^[68]

At the time of its franchise ending in 2021, Oyster cards were valid from all Zone 1–9 stations served by the company, the travelcard zones having been extended to include stations such as Dartford after an initial outcry by passengers being required to travel to Zone 6 stations such asSlade Green,Barnehurst orCrayford to "tap in" before continuing on their journey. Travelcards (including on Oyster) are however were not valid on High-Speed services, except betweenSt Pancras International andStratford International at a special pay-as-you-go fare.

During late 2010, the company faced a barrage of criticism for its performance during extreme weather conditions in the south-east of England^[69] and there are also allegations from passenger advocacy groups and MPs of both parties that Southeastern deliberately runs reduced services to skew its official performance figures.^[70]

In 2014, a survey of UK rail passenger satisfaction showed Southeastern to be the lowest-rated train operating company, with just forty per cent of passengers believing that good service is provided and a rating of only one out of five for value for money. Southeastern claimed that the reason for this is that people dislike going to work and that if the survey were to be retaken on a "sunny summer's day" the outcome would be better for the company.^{[citation needed]}

In a survey (Best and worst UK train companies) carried out in February 2015 byWhich? magazine, Southeastern continued to rank poorly, rated as the second-worst UK train operating train companies customer score of just 44%. This was narrowly ahead ofGovia Thameslink Railway, with 43%. Southeastern also achieved only 2/5 or 3/5 star ratings across the six specific categories assessed in the survey (such categories included Punctuality, Reliability and Cleanliness of toilets).^[71]

Southeastern performed poorly in performance and passenger satisfaction in 2016, with the 2016 survey byWhich? magazine finding Southeastern to be the joint-worst performing train operating company in Britain, with a customer score of just 46%.^[72] The Spring 2016 National Rail Passenger Survey further underlined Southeastern's continuing poor performance and passenger satisfaction.^[73] The company issued a joint response with Network Rail on the day of publication, primarily blaming outside factors and survey methodology.^[74] The 2016Which? figures were backed up by the 2016 Transport Focus survey, which placed Southeastern joint bottom in satisfaction on service delivery.^[75]Satisfaction with the frequency of services declined year on year from 73% to 56%, and satisfaction with ticket value scored 30%, the lowest of any operator in the country.^[75]

In the Autumn 2019 National Rail Passenger Survey, 81% of passengers using Southeastern services were satisfied with their journeys. This was the company's highest score for six years and an increase of 3% on the previous year.^[76]

Southeastern operated a fleet of approximately 400 trains, all of which are electricmultiple units and have been taken over by its successorSoutheastern.

Family	Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Carriages	Routes operated	Built	Operated from
				mph	km/h
Bombardier Electrostar	375		EMU	100	160	10	3	Main line routes	1999–2005	2006
						102	4
	376			75	120	36	5	Metro routes	2004–2005	2006
	377/1			100	160	2	4	Main line routes	2003	2017
	377/5					23			2008-2009	2016-2017
Hitachi AT300	395Javelin			140	225	29	6	High Speed 1 services	2007–2009	2009
Networker	465			75	120	147	4	Main line and metro routes	1991–1994	2006
	466					43	2	Metro and limited main line routes.	1993–1994	2006
Desiro City	707City Beam			100	161	14[77]	5	Metro routes	2015–2018	2021

The transfer of some routes toSouthern andThameslink allowed Southeastern to withdraw its small fleet of Class 508 EMUs and replace them with Networker stock cascaded from other services.

Family	Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Cars	Routes operated	Built	Withdrawn
				mph	km/h
BREL 1972	508/2		EMU	75	120	12	3	Rural routes (mainly branches)	1979–1980	2008

Southeastern's drivers were based at the following locations;^[78]

Media related toSoutheastern (train operating company) at Wikimedia Commons

• Company website (archived)
• alwaystouchout.com on the Channel Tunnel Rail LinkArchived 29 October 2006 at theWayback Machine (includes information about the high speed services)

• Go-Ahead Group companies
• High-speed rail in the United Kingdom
• Keolis
• Railway companies established in 2006
• Railway companies disestablished in 2021
• Railway operators in London
• Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom
• 2006 establishments in England
• 2021 disestablishments in England

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