Editing C2c (section)

===First franchise (1996–2014)===
====LTS Rail====
The [[Essex Thameside|London, Tilbury and Southend franchise]] was created as part of the [[privatisation of British Rail]]. In December 1995, the franchise was awarded to a [[management buyout]]; the handover was initially due to happen on 4 February 1996. However, on 1 February 1996, ticketing and settlement irregularities were discovered and the other shortlisted bidders were invited to tender again.<ref name="NAO 1996">{{cite web |url=https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-award-of-the-first-three-passenger-rail-franchises-2/ |title=Office of Passenger Rail Franchising:The award of the first three passenger rail franchises |publisher=[[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] |date=16 October 1996 |access-date=5 February 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205082254/https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-award-of-the-first-three-passenger-rail-franchises-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/inquiry-into-ticket-fraud-stalls-rail-selloff-1317124.html |title=Inquiry into ticket fraud stalls rail sell-off |newspaper=The Independent |location=London, UK |date=4 February 1996 |first=Paul |last=Routledge}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/government-orders-rail-fraud-inquiry-1317400.html |title=Government orders rail fraud inquiry |newspaper=The Independent |location=London, UK |date=5 February 1996 |first=Christian |last=Wolmar |archive-date=21 September 2019 |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921185937/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/government-orders-rail-fraud-inquiry-1317400.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 1996, the franchise was awarded to [[Prism Rail]] by the [[Director of Passenger Rail Franchising]] for a period of 15&nbsp;years. It began operating as LTS Rail on 26 May 1996.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/soaring-prism-renews-rail-sale-attack-1349842.html |title=Soaring Prism renews rail sale attack |newspaper=The Independent |location=London, UK |date=30 May 1996 |first=Magnus |last=Grimond |archive-date=16 March 2014 |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316005727/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/soaring-prism-renews-rail-sale-attack-1349842.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The franchise period could have been reduced to seven years if the operator did not fulfil commitments made during the bidding phase to replace its rolling stock with new-build trains.<ref name="NAO 1996"/>

Passenger numbers increased above forecasts which caused overcrowding as trains reached capacity at peak times.<ref name="NAO 2000">{{cite web |title=Action to improve passenger rail services |url=https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2000/08/9900842.pdf |publisher=National Audit Office |access-date=5 February 2023 |date=3 August 2000 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205084135/https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2000/08/9900842.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> During 1998, the franchise was renegotiated to provide for the elimination of slam-door rolling stock and increased fleet by March 2002, increased staffing of stations, real-time passenger information system, improved security measures, improved station facilities for disabled people, increased cycle storage and pedestrian access from [[Chafford Hundred railway station]] to [[Lakeside Shopping Centre]].<ref name="1998 franchise">{{cite web |title=Improvement for Passengers on LTS Rail |url=http://www.opraf.gov.uk/news/releases/1998/98_11_11.htm |publisher=Office of Passenger Rail Franchising |access-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010171219/http://www.opraf.gov.uk/news/releases/1998/98_11_11.htm |archive-date=10 October 1999 |date=11 November 1998}}</ref>

LTS Rail started serving {{rws|West Ham}} from 14 May 1999 to coincide with the opening of the [[Jubilee line]] extension. Peak services were restricted at West Ham, because of limitations of the signalling system. These were eliminated in time for the December 2011 timetable change ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Essex Thameside Franchise Consultation |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/2682/essex-thameside-franchise-replacement.pdf |publisher=Department for Transport |access-date=29 January 2023 |date=February 2012 |archive-date=7 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107104329/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/2682/essex-thameside-franchise-replacement.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 2 July 2000, the business was rebranded as c2c.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=LTS Rail relaunches as c2c |magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]] |issue=386 |date=28 June 2000 |page=4}}</ref> To coincide with the rebranding, the company website was launched on 16 June 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=New website for new rail company c2c |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/site/news/news_1a2b.htm |website=c2c-online.co.uk |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010209093201/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/site/news/news_1a2b.htm |archive-date=9 February 2001 |date=19 June 2000}}</ref> The company name was also changed from LTS Rail Limited to c2c Rail Limited shortly thereafter.

====National Express====
During July 2000, c2c was included in the sale of Prism Rail to [[National Express]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4458960/National-Express-buys-Prism-for-166m.html |title=National Express buys Prism for £166m |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=19 July 2000 |location=London, UK |first=Alistair |last=Osborne |archive-date=22 November 2020 |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122152744/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4458960/National-Express-buys-Prism-for-166m.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5 |title=National Express buys Prism for £166m |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London, UK |date=19 July 2000 |first=Keith |last=Harper |archive-date=23 October 2013 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023081315/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5 |url-status=live }}</ref> The merger of the companies was completed on 19 September 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Base Prospectus: National Express |url=https://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/4776e_1-2009-12-21.pdf |publisher=Merrill Corporation |access-date=3 February 2023 |date=21 December 2009 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630143854/https://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/4776e_1-2009-12-21.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> National Express combined the management and support functions of c2c, Silverlink, WAGN and Stansted Express in a single organisation called London Lines in March 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2001 |url=https://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/ilijyhvw/094525-ar2001.pdf |publisher=National Express |access-date=8 February 2023 |year=2002}}</ref>

In March 2002, management of Fenchurch Street Station was transferred from c2c to [[Network Rail]].<ref name="SL Network Rail">{{cite web |title=Station Licence granted to Network Rail Infrastructure Limited |url=https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/om/nr-stat-licence.pdf |publisher=Office of Rail and Road |access-date=1 February 2023 |year=2019 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201160829/https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/om/nr-stat-licence.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

During January 2005, it was announced that an on-train [[television]] service would be tried out, and one unit had televisions installed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/c2c-abandons-train-tv-trial/510593 |title=C2C abandons train TV trial |website=campaignlive.co.uk |first=Kevin |last=May |date=3 May 2005}}</ref> In June 2006, the ''360 On-Board Television'' service ran into financial difficulties when c2c's partner in the project, TNCI (UK), ceased trading, and the service was withdrawn. c2c indicated it would restart the roll-out should a suitable partner be found.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/tv_on_trains_trials_stopped |title=TV on Trains – Trials Stopped |publisher=c2c |date=20 June 2006 |access-date=19 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515201032/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/tv_on_trains_trials_stopped |archive-date=15 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2006, it was announced that portable [[X-ray]] machines and metal detectors would be randomly placed at stations and carried by officers on trains during summer 2006 to catch people carrying weapons, in a joint operation with [[Essex Police]] and [[British Transport Police]], following trials at [[London Underground]] stations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/5052594.stm |work=BBC News |title=Railway passengers to be scanned |date=6 June 2006 |access-date=19 July 2008 |archive-date=21 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821072633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/5052594.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

A peak timetable introduced on 11 December 2006, with the aim of improving services for the [[Thurrock]] and [[London Riverside]] sections of the [[Thames Gateway]], was withdrawn on 8 January 2007 after a campaign by passengers as a result of delays and cancellations that affected other lines on the network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/morning_and_evening_weekday_peak_schedules_to_return_to_previous_patterns_as_c2c_restores_old_timetable |title=Morning and evening weekday peak schedules to return to previous patterns as c2c restores old timetable |publisher=c2c |date=3 January 2007 |access-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211004027/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk:80/latest_updates/news/morning_and_evening_weekday_peak_schedules_to_return_to_previous_patterns_as_c2c_restores_old_timetable |archive-date=11 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/display.var.1099738.0.old_c2c_timetable_back_on_monday.php |newspaper=Southend Echo |title=Old c2c timetable back on Monday |first=Rob |last=Pritchard |date=3 January 2007 |access-date=19 July 2008}}</ref> During August 2006, c2c agreed to work with [[Passenger Focus]] to establish a passenger panel.<ref>{{cite web |title=c2c's timetable consultation – Passenger Focus report |url=https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/publication/c2cs-timetable-consultation-passenger-focus-report/ |publisher=Passenger Focus |access-date=6 February 2023 |date=24 August 2006}}</ref>

In October 2007, c2c announced that the first coach of each unit would be made a Quiet Zone, where passengers are asked not to use their mobile phones or play music out loud.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.consumerdeals.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1192786704 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008155703/https://www.consumerdeals.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1192786704 |title=The Unofficial c2c Rail Info Site |website=consumerdeals.co.uk |date=29 October 2007 |access-date=19 July 2008 |archive-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> The Quiet Zone was introduced during early 2008 and is indicated by magenta vinyl stickers on the doors of the coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/quiet_zone |title=Quiet Zone |publisher=c2c |year=2008 |access-date=19 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509170105/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/quiet_zone |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2007, c2c announced that it had switched to renewably-generated electricity in all its stations, maintenance facilities and offices in a contract with [[E.ON UK]], said to be the largest of its kind in the transport sector.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_switches_to_renewable_energy_sources |title=c2c switches to renewable energy sources |publisher=c2c |date=2 October 2007 |access-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705200312/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_switches_to_renewable_energy_sources |archive-date=5 July 2008}}</ref>

The franchise was originally due to conclude on 26 May 2011. In December 2010, the [[Department for Transport]] granted National Express an extension until 26 May 2013 to allow DfT time to conduct a review of the franchising process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2010/12/23-c2c-extension-awarded-to-national.html |title=c2c extension awarded to National Express |website=railnews.co.uk |location=Stevenage, UK |date=23 December 2010}}</ref> During March 2013, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] announced the franchise would again be extended until 13 September 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement |title=Railway plan puts new focus on passengers |publisher=Secretary of State for Transport |via=gov.uk |date=26 March 2013 |access-date=27 March 2013 |archive-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813220726/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement |url-status=live }}</ref> A further delay saw this extended until 8 November 2014.