Collapse of Carillion hits Shropshire train service bid
One of the companies shortlisted to run trains through Shropshire later this year was in partnership with the failed firm Carillion.
Dutch transport giant Abellio, which runs train and bus routes across the UK, is one of three in the running to win the Wales and Borders franchise.
Wales transport minister Ken Skates says following news of Wolverhampton-based Carillion's collapse, the firm has been exploring how it can best take the franchise bid forward.
Speaking from his constituency office in Llangollen, Mr Skates said the successful bidder would be announced in the spring and would take over in October.
The network includes the Shrewsbury to Chester service, Shrewsbury to Manchester, Shrewsbury to south Wales and the Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Cambrian line.
Mr Skates, whose constituency borders Shropshire, said he would ensure that the new franchise brought an improved, quality service to routes in Wales and in England.
He said: "We have set down minimum requirements and asked the bidders to come forward with innovative solutions to better those.
"We want a better journey experience, ticketing improvements including through journey tickets, and improvements to stations and to the rolling stock including toilets on trains."
"Profits of the next franchise will be capped with excess profits being re-invested in the service. We have also ensured that Transport for Wales is a not-for-profit company."
Mr Skates said it was extremely important to see the Wales and Borders rail network as having country boundaries.
"The England/Wales border is completely porous with thousands of people crossing it every day to go back and to to work," he said.
He said it was vital that transport links including trains did not disadvantage either England or Wales, adding: "Links between the two are vital to the economies of north and mid Wales and also to Shropshire."
A statement released by Abellio following the Carillion collapse said: "Abellio Rail Cymru acknowledges the decision by Carillion plc to enter into liquidation January 15.
"We remain in the contract letting process for the Wales and Borders rail service and south Wales Metro being administered by Transport for Wales and are bound by the procurement rules governing that process.
"During the duration of the competition we will make no further comments or issue any press releases relating to our bid unless there are any changes in our position."
The other two bidders in the process are MTR and KeolisAmey.
