SJ International of Sweden is one of eight companies to prequalify to submit proposals for the new Thameslink franchise.
The new Thameslink is based on the £800m Thameslink 2000 scheme which would expand the service to include the Kings Cross to Peterborough routes.
This would enable travel from Bedford to Sussex. The other bidders are Connex, GB Railways, GNER, Stagecoach and FirstGroup with Dutch Railways.
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) also named the prequalifiers for the new Wales & Borders franchise: Arriva, Connex, First Group, GB Railways, Group 4, Prism Rail, Serco Rail and Via STL.
Connex has threatened to pull out from running the south central London line before its contract ends in 2003, if it loses the franchise.
The Daily Telegraph 15/09/00 page 35
The Times 15/09/00 page 28
The Guardian 15/09/00 page 25
