Editing Gatwick Express (section)

=== Operated by Govia Thameslink Railway ===
The Department for Transport confirmed prior to the awarding of the new franchise that the Southern franchise would be merged at its conclusion in July 2015 into the proposed [[Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern]] franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-passenger-franchise-thameslink/thameslink-ojeu-notice.pdf |title = Thameslink Franchise: Official Journal of European Union notice |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130527143852/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-passenger-franchise-thameslink/thameslink-ojeu-notice.pdf |archive-date = 27 May 2013 |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 19 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-23/consultation-thameslink.pdf |title = Consultation on the Combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120617070504/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-23/consultation-thameslink.pdf |archive-date = 17 June 2012 |publisher = Department for Transport |date = May 2012}}</ref>

In March 2012, the Department for Transport announced that [[Abellio (transport company)|Abellio]], [[FirstGroup]], [[Govia]], [[MTR Corporation|MTR]] and [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]] had been shortlisted to bid for the new franchise.<ref>{{cite press release |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120329 |title= Bidders to oversee improvements on rail franchises announced |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 29 March 2012 |access-date = 24 September 2012 |archive-date = 25 September 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120925051042/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120329/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The Invitation to Tender was to have been issued in October 2012, and the successful bidder announced in spring 2013. However, in the wake of the [[InterCity West Coast]] refranchising process collapsing, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] announced in October 2012 that the process would be put on hold pending the results of a review.<ref>{{cite press release |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121003a |title = West Coast Main Line franchise competition cancelled |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 3 October 2012 |access-date = 7 October 2012 |archive-date = 10 October 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010151357/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121003a/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

With the last franchise expiring on 25 July 2015, the South Central franchise merged with the Thameslink Great Northern franchise to create [[Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern]]. This is operated by [[Govia Thameslink Railway]], which is also owned by Southern's parent company, [[Govia]]. The Gatwick Express brand identity has been retained. [[Oyster card]]s and [[contactless payment]] cards have been accepted for travel between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport since January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/oyster-reaches-gatwick-as-shown-on-major-new-tfl-rail-map |title = Oyster reaches Gatwick, as shown on major new TfL rail map |publisher = Railtechnologymagazine.com |date = 8 January 2016 |access-date = 22 March 2017 |archive-date = 2 December 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171202194624/http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/oyster-reaches-gatwick-as-shown-on-major-new-tfl-rail-map }}</ref>