The hunt has begun for the next operator of the London Overground network, as the present franchise is due to expire at the beginning of November 2016.

To kick off the process, Transport for London (TfL) issued a joint notice with the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), alerting potential bidders that they have until the middle of next month to register their interest in the opportunity. After this, a formal invitation to tender will be issued.

The new operator will be required to show how it plans to achieve TfL’s goals for the near future, which include new trains, higher frequencies, a 24-hour weekend services, and extending the line between Barking and Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside by 2019.

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s director of London Rail, said: “This bidding process is vital to ensure London Overground's performance is maintained and improved to make services even better for our customers.”