Southeastern franchise extended to December 2018 Go-Ahead 1 min read06 December 2016 Partner content The Department of Transport (DfT) has indicated the Southeastern franchise will be extended until December 2018. The Southeastern franchise was due to end in June 2018 but the contract contains a clause that can be invoked by the DfT to extend the agreement on existing terms. The assumed extension is for 24 weeks. Southeastern serves south east London and Kent and operates one of the UK's busiest networks, with 640,000 passenger journeys made each weekday. Related Downing Street Admits Fresh Rail Strikes Are "Extremely Disappointing" As Pressure Grows Over Pay Award By Tom Scotson 19 Aug