Virgin Trains loses West Coast Mainline franchise

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Virgin Rail has lost its bid to continue running the West Coast Mainline and will be replaced by the UK's largest rail operator, FirstGroup.

FirstGroup said it would "offer substantial improvements in the quality and frequency of services".

Sir Richard Branson said Virgin's loss of the franchise was "very disappointing news".

Unions and rail campaigners have argued jobs will be cut, fares will rise and catering services will be cut back.

FirstGroup already operates a number of rail routes including Great Western and ScotRail.

The company, under the name First West Coast Limited, will take over the franchise from 9 December and is due to to operate the service until 2026.

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Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones has hailed the news that the town is to benefit from a spectacular rail takeover.



First Group won the franchise to operate the West Coast Mainline and immediately offered Nuneaton passengers a better service.

The company’s successful bid could lead to an hourly, direct fast service from Nuneaton to London Euston and from Nuneaton to Chester via Crewe.

Marcus Jones has been campaigning for improved rail links for the town since his election to Parliament.

They are part of his quest to bring economic growth and jobs to the area.

He said: “Over the last two years I have consistently looked to raise the issues of fast rail services to Nuneaton, both with government and the companies bidding for the West Coast Mainline franchise.

“I am delighted that this lobbying has paid off with the new plan for more frequent services.”

The MP added: “An hourly service will give Nuneaton far more of a competitive advantage in trying to bring business and jobs to our area.”

He led a lobby of franchise bidders, bringing together a number of key local stakeholders to promote Nuneaton’s case for a better peak and off-peak train service.

They provided potential bidders with a dossier of evidence and support to strengthen the argument for better rail links for Nuneaton.

First Group, who outbid Virgin Trains for the franchise in a deal that could reach £7 billion, clearly listened.

Subject to agreement with Network Rail, they are planning an hourly, fast and direct service from Nuneaton to London Euston and from Nuneaton to Chester via Crewe.

They hope to commence those new services in late 2013.

In addition, it is also hoped that a further late night fast service from London Euston, stopping at Nuneaton, may be brought in from 2016.

First Group, the UK’s biggest rail operators, will take over the West Coast Mainline franchise in December of this year.

From then until December 2013, they will continue the current timetable set by the Department of Transport.

But Marcus Jones has already lobbied the Secretary of State to see if any extra fast trains could stop at Nuneaton in the interim period.

He said: “I would like to thank those who helped me lobby the rail companies,particularly the Nuneaton Rail Users Group.

One of the busiest rail systems in Britain, the West Coast Mainline route serves 31 million passengers travelling between London, the West Midlands, the North East, North Wales and the central belt of Scotland.

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Virgin Trains in West Coast Main Line court action

Virgin Trains has said it has started court proceedings over the government's decision to award a new franchise to transport company FirstGroup.

Virgin had run the franchise since 1997, but lost to FirstGroup, prompting it to demand a review of the process.

Labour had also urged the government to delay the signing of the contract so that MPs could examine it.

But earlier Transport Secretary Justine Greening said there would be no delay in signing the FirstGroup deal.