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Passenger services in Great Britain are divided into regional franchises and run by private ( that is.
non-state owned ) Train Operating Companies.
These companies bid for seven-to eight-year contracts to run individual franchises.
Most contracts are awarded by the Department for Transport ( DfT ), with the exception of Merseyrail, where the franchise is awarded by Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive, and ScotRail, where the DfT awards on the advice of the Scottish Government.
Initially, there were 25 franchises, but the number of different operating companies is smaller as some firms, including First Group, National Express Group and Stagecoach Group, run more than one franchise.
In addition, some franchises have since been combined.
There are also a number of local or specialised rail services operated on an ' open access ' basis outside the franchise arrangements.
Examples include Heathrow Express and Hull Trains.

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