 In December 2005 the Department for Transport awarded the new franchise to FirstGroup with the services operated by Thameslink transferring to First Capital Connect on 1 April 2006.However, it was announced in May 2014 that Govia had reclaimed the Thameslink franchise, which started on 14 September 2014, thus ending the First Capital Connect franchise.Govia now operates Thameslink under Govia Thameslink Railway.