The government announced Abellio Greater Anglia Limited as the winning bidder on 20 October 2011, beating off competition from the other two shortlisted companies, Eastern Railway Limited (from the Go-Ahead Group) and Stagecoach Anglia Trains Limited (from the Stagecoach Group). The franchise will start on 5 February 2012, lasting for 29 months (until September 2014). While short, the franchise will operate during the 2012 Olympics. The subsequent franchise is expected to be awarded for 15 years.