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<p>Direct Awards were not used prior to 2012. Since then, the following awards have
been made:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Direct Award made</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Franchise</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>Essex
Thameside</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>Great Western</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>Thameslink
Great Northern</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>Northern</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>West
Coast</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>East Anglia</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>South
Eastern</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>Trans-Pennine Express</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>Great
Western 2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>East Midlands</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>West
Midlands</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>Cross Country</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>West
Coast 2</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Direct Awards have been used primarily
to smooth the franchising schedule and allow us to deliver the best possible value
and benefits to passengers including to help minimise disruption through periods of
major improvements or change.</p><p> </p><p>Direct Awards may be used, for example,
when significant operational change makes mounting a competition challenging.</p><p>
</p><p>Each Direct Award delivers new passenger benefits and service improvements
in exchange for the contract extension before the new long-term franchise is competed.</p><p>
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