The trains were introduced for new north-south cross-London services from Bedford to Brighton , and since privatisation these services have been operated by Thameslink and First Capital Connect , the former franchise having been merged with the Great Northern section of the former WAGN franchise to form the latter train operating company at 0200 BST on 1 April 2006 as a result of re-franchising . The trains were introduced for new north-south cross-London services from Bedford to Brighton , and since privatisation these services have been operated by Thameslink and First Capital Connect , the former franchise having been merged with the Great Northern section of the former WAGN franchise to form the latter train operating company on 1 April 2006 as a result of re-franchising .