THE franchise to run all passenger trains in and out of Swindon is up for grabs, and a public meeting has been arranged to find out what the public wants to see from the successful bidder.

Swindon Council’s scrutiny committee, which has called the meeting, aims to feed those views into the Department For Transport’s consultation process, which will help form the specification that the new operator will be required to deliver.

The meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, March 20 at the Civic Offices, in Euclid Street.

The franchise process has been triggered following current holder First Great Western’s decision to end its franchise three years earlier than expected.

Responses to the consultation have to be delivered to the DfT by March 31.

Scrutiny committee chairman Coun Kevin Small said: “The success of this rail franchise and its development, and the effect this will have on Swindon’s future prosperity, can’t be overstated.

“The new operator will have the franchise for up to 15 years, so it is absolutely vital that the successful bidder knows what they need to deliver.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in this to give us their views at the meeting.”

The scrutiny committee will also be seeking the views of local groups such as the local business community and will be canvassing the opinions of commuters at Swindon station.