SEVERAL of the country’s leading rail operators have confirmed they intend to bid to run Kent’s train services.

The Government has just begun the formal process of searching for a new operator for the franchise to run services in Kent and Sussex.

Connex South East was stripped of the franchise in June this year and its contract now has just three months to run.

The Strategic Rail Authority acted after deciding Connex was not up to the job and now adverts for a new company to take over the service have been placed in the specialist rail press.

Among those who have already confirmed an interest are Stagecoach and First Group, both of whom already run similar commuter services elsewhere in the country.

A spokeswoman for Stagecoach, which currently runs South West Trains and South Central Trains, said: “We have expressed an interest but this is a fairly early stage of the process and we want to see the detail of what they want. South West Trains is certainly similar in terms of the kind of business it does and is one of the biggest commuter train operating companies. It is a challenge but we have the experience.”

First Group, which has three UK rail franchises including First Great Western, First Great Eastern and First North Western, and bid for the franchise first time around, said the company would be putting in “a very strong bid".

A spokesman added: “We have experience of turning around rail services which could be improved and have done that successfully with First North Western, which is now one of the best in the country. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link is an opportunity and would be a great asset,” said a spokesman.

National Express, which currently runs nine rail company franchises, said it was “very possible” it would join the race but had not yet reached a decision.

Companies have until September 4 to register their interest in the service but a new operator will not take over until 2005.

Until then, the trains will be run under the direction of the Strategic Rail Authority.