Hong Kong’s MTR Corp loses London Elizabeth line contract after 10 years of operations

Hong Kong’s rail giant has lost its bid to renew its contract for London’s Elizabeth line after 10 years of operations, according to the British capital’s transport authority.

London transport authorities said on Tuesday that the operations of the MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited, a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Hong Kong’s rail operator, would be taken over in May next year by GTS Rail Operations Limited, a joint venture between Go Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and the Sumitomo Corporation. The MTR Corporation (UK) Limited was among the three unsuccessful shortlisted bidders.

London expects to enter into a contract with the new operator in December, which will last for seven years, with an option to extend for an additional two.

The new operator would bring “the best parts of Tokyo and London to the Elizabeth line”, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said she was “delighted” to grant the contract to GTS Rail Operations to continue to build on the success of the Elizabeth line.

“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,” she said.

“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.”