FirstGroup to run West Coast Main Line

Date: 15/8/2012

Transport company FirstGroup has won the franchise to run the West Coast Main Line rail route after it outbid Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Rail.

The (DfT) Department for Transport accepted FirstGroup's bid ending the spell that Virgin has had running the line since 1997.

In the time the route was under the control of Virgin Rail it doubled the number of passengers travelling using the service.

This latest acquisition is added to a number of other franchises FirstGroup operates, which include Great Western and ScotRail.

It has pledged to roll out cheaper fares, more services and improved stations now that it has secured the £5.5 billion contract.

Tim O'Toole, Chief Executive of FirstGroup, said: "We will be making significant improvements including reduced journey times and introducing new direct services."

From December 9th the West Coast line will come under the jurisdiction of FirstGroup, which has secured the franchise for 13 years and four months.

According to DfT the new franchise will provide 12,000 extra seats a day by bringing in 11 electric trains each made up of six carriages.

This will be further to the 28,000 seats which are in the process of being brought in in the form of 106 new Pendolino carriages.

When the franchise is taken on by FirstGroup it will continue to run the timetable it is inherited with the view to adding new services going forward.

These will include one in 2013 to go between London Euston and Blackpool as well as another in 2016 from London to Telford Central, Shrewsbury and Bolton.

The journey times between London and Glasgow are expected to be shortened with extra services laid on between the capital and Preston.

Come December FirstGroup will be responsible for the maintenance of 17 stations and will spend £22 million of investment on improvements.

Mr O'Toole said: "Our winning bid is a deliverable proposition that is compelling for all who want to see a greater use of our rail networks."

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News and Transport Consulting News