C2C is pushing forward with its plans to take over Southend’s other train line.

The company, which currently runs the Shoebury to London Fenchurch Street line, has confirmed it will be bidding to take over the Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street service - currently owned by Abellio Greater Anglia.

News of the company’s takeover plan comes as c2c announced an unexpected rise in passenger numbers.

Parent company National Express say passengers have increased by five per cent between July 1 and September 30 – an extra 1.5m journeys - with revenue also increasing by ten per cent in the same period.

Chief executive Julian Drury said: "We're delighted with how popular our new initiatives are proving with local passengers.

“Our new offers like discounts of up to 40 per cent on advance fares, cheap tickets for the over-65s, and ‘kids for a quid’ deals during the school holidays have helped provide a major boost to leisure travel.

“Our investment in new technology like free wifi and the c2c Smartcard is also attracting more people on board than ever before."

c2c’s bid to take over the Greater Anglia line is due to be submitted this December.

Mr Drury added: "National Express is focused on developing a bid that delivers real customer service improvements.

“We're aiming to meet the region's ambitions for a high quality railway that better serves passengers and the local economy.

“We will work with councils, passenger groups and other stakeholders to help develop these plans."

Commuter Katie Duke, 23, travels from Prittlewell station and said c2c’s parent company was her favourite for the franchise.

Katie, of Bournemouth Park Road, Southend, said: “If they won it I think I would actually cry with happiness because their line is so much better.

“Greater Anglia have been making some improvements, they’ve put a lick of paint on the station, done all the doors up, created a waiting area and put a proper ticket machine in finally but I’ve told them myself it’s too little, too late.”

Greater Anglia declined to comment during the bidding process, however Abellio UK managing director commented on the company being shortlisted for the franchise in June.

He said: "As the existing operator of East Anglia this is fantastic news and represents a tremendous opportunity for Abellio and our partner Stagecoach. East Anglia is a rapidly growing part of the country.

"The rail passenger growth we have achieved is indicative of our success since being awarded the Greater Anglia contract in 2012.

"We are also in no doubt of the importance of this franchise to the 354,000 daily passengers and we look forward, along with Stagecoach, to competing to retain the franchise which plays such a crucial role in sustaining the long term economic and social prosperity of the cities and towns served by this railway including the critical importance of serving the City of London.

"We eagerly await the publication of the Department for Transport requirements for the new franchise."

Who else is bidding for the East Anglia franchise?

As well as National Express and Abellio, which has not enamoured itself to commuters since taking on the franchise from National Express in 2012, First East Anglia will also be bidding to take over in October 2016.

According to the Which? customer satisfaction survey, First has had mixed fortunes with its franchises across the country.

Its Yorkshire to London service, First Hull Trains, was named second best overall with 69 per cent satisfaction this year – with Grand Central hitting the top spot at 76 per cent.

However, its First TransPennine Express service lagged in joint 12th place with East Midlands Trains at 53 per cent and First Great Western – recently rebranded as the Great Western Railway – languished in 17th with 47 per cent.

This was only one place above Abellio Greater Anglia, with 46 per cent approval.

C2c was joint fourth with East Coast at 62 per cent.