Bidding to run rail services in East Anglia has opened to companies competing to gain the 17-month contract.

The new operator will take over from National Express in February 2012 and will be responsible for trains from London to across Greater Anglia - including Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Southend, Ipswich and Cambridge - until at least July 2013.

The company that gains the contract will be one of the rail franchises serving Stratford and the Olympic stadium.

Because of this it will be responsible for introducing longerand more frequent trains during the London 2012 Games.

The Government has set out the following objectives for the franchise in the invitation to tender:

- Delivering a quality of service for passengers for the entire rail journey.

- Working with the Department and other stakeholders to ensure value for money.

- Managing and delivering changes required to accommodate Crossrail.

- Working effectively with Network Rail to maintain performance.

- Delivering longer and more frequent services to support the London 2012 Olympic Games.

- Controlling operational costs and maximising revenue.

As part of the bidding process each of the bidders will also need to set out how they intend to improve passenger satisfaction.

The companies shortlisted to bid for the contract were announced by the Government on March 24.

They are Abellio Greater Anglia Limited, Eastern Railway Limited and Stagecoach Anglia Trains Limited.