Wales & Borders franchise

Wales & Borders
Technical
Current operator	Arriva Trains Wales
Franchise dates	14 Oct 01 - 6 Dec 03 Wales & Borders 7 Dec 03 - 13 Oct 18 Arriva Trains Wales
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

The Wales & Borders franchise is a railway franchise for passenger services in the United Kingdom.

In March 2000 the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority announced plans to create a separate Wales & Borders franchise. In October 2001 the Valley Lines and Wales & West franchises were restructured as Wales & Borders and Wessex Trains, with the former taking responsibility for most services in Wales including the Cambrian Line services from Central Trains. All franchises were operated by National Express.

In September 2003 the services from Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly to Llandudno and Holyhead as well as those between Bidston and Wrexham Central and Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, operated by First North Western, were transferred to the Wales & Borders franchise.

In October 2002 a short list of Arriva, Connex/GB Railways, National Express and Serco-Abellio were invited to bid for the next franchise. In December 2003 Arriva commenced a 15 year contract to operate the franchise until 2018 trading as Arriva Trains Wales.