The Elizabeth Line concession has been awarded by Transport for London to a new operator, less than three years since the line was opened in full.

The line had been operated by MTR of Hong Kong since ‘TfL Rail’ was launched on the outer sections of the future Elizabeth Line in 2015. The new MTR contract had been awarded the year before, and was to run for eight years. The line should have been completed through central London in 2018 but in the event opening was delayed until 2022, partly because of software problems.

The contract changeover date will be May next year, when GTS Rail Operations Limited takes charge. GTS is a joint venture between Go Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation. The contract will run seven years with an option to extend it for up to two years.

The new contractor will be responsible for preparing to serve the new Old Oak Common HS2 station in 2030, when the number of services will increase. It will also be expected to encourage collaboration with Network Rail, which manages the surface infrastructure on both sides of London, and have a ‘relentless focus’ on safety as well as providing more than 500 apprenticeships, along with funding grants to community groups.

Ten more Class 345 trains now being built by Alstom in Derby will come into service.

TfL chief operating officer Claire Mann said: ‘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. The railway has provided new, more direct journey options which has led to huge numbers of customers using our safe and accessible trains and stations.

‘I am delighted that we have appointed GTS Rail Operations to continue to build on the success of the line and I look forward to working with them.’