MTR Corporation
In April 2016, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that Govia, MTR Corporation and a consortium of Abellio, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Mitsui had been shortlisted to bid for the next franchise. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) was issued in August 2016 and the franchise was due to be awarded in June 2017. In July 2016 MTR Corporation withdrew from the bidding process.