Ministers today set out how they expect the company which wins the franchise to run trains from Norwich to improve services.

Objectives include boosting passenger satisfaction, making services more reliable and investing in new trains to carry people to the Olympics.

Three firms - Abellio Greater Anglia, Eastern Railway and Stagecoach Anglia Trains - have been shortlisted for the Greater Anglia franchise, which is currently run by National Express East Anglia.

The business is due to be taken over by a new operator in February 2012.

The winning company would be responsible for delivering services to destinations from London and across Greater Anglia - including Great Yarmouth, Southend, Ipswich and Cambridge - until at least July 2013.

As one of the rail franchises serving Stratford and the Olympic stadium the new operator will be responsible for introducing longer and more frequent trains during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Government has set out objectives for the franchise which include improving quality, ensuring value for money and maintaining performance.

As part of the bidding process each of the bidders will also need to set out how they intend to improve passenger satisfaction in the service they would provide.

Research last year by rail watchdog Passenger Focus said passengers using the franchise were among the least satisfied in Great Britain.

It added the area had seen little investment in new stock since privatisation, with the bulk of trains in use more than 20 years old.

Passenger Focus said considerable investment in new trains would be required.