Editing C2c (section)

====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.