PASSENGERS are being asked to help shape the future of the region’s rails in a Government consultation.

Bids will open in March 2015 for a company take over the running of East Anglia’s trains from October 2016.

Companies competing for the new contract have been told by the Department for Transport they will be “incentivised” to submit plans for achieving services from Norwich to London in 90 minutes.

It was one of the key recommendations made by the Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce, backed by the Government.

Alongside this, Network Rail will carry out track upgrade work to support faster journey times.

David Burch, a taskforce member and director of policy at Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “A lot has been done with the current franchise holder, but there is more room for improvement, as the taskforce identified, and we fully support the need to have faster, improved services in the Great Eastern main line.

“It is also about the Braintree, Harwich and Clacton branch lines, which all improve the Essex economy.

“It is vital we have links to and from them.

“We hope that will be recognised in the new franchise.”

The winner of the contract will be announced in the summer of 2016.

The consultation will run until March 16, 2015 and can be found at: gov.uk/government/ consultations/east-anglia-rail-passenger-franchise