BRITAIN's Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded a 15-year contract to operate the Essex Thameside franchise to the current operator of the route National Express.
ESSEX Thameside franchisee, c2c, which operates services from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness and the Essex Coast, is to upgrade ticketing systems at all of its stations outside of London to enable its passengers to use smart card ticketing.