The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that Virgin Trains is to continue operating rail services on the West Coast Main Line for the next 23 months from December 10th.
Less than 2 months ago First West Coast’s successful bid for the £5.5bn franchise was cancelled following “significant technical flaws” in the tendering process.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the latest franchise agreement coincides with the early completion of a government-backed deal to roll out 106 new Pendolino providing up to 28,000 more passenger seats daily with four new 11-carriage trains and lengthening 31 existing trains from nine carriages to 11.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We are determined to ensure not only that passengers continue to experience the same levels of service they have in the past, but that services improve. There will be a new hourly service linking Glasgow and London and we will also work with Virgin Trains to explore other service improvements.
The government added that passengers travelling on Virgin Trains will find it easier to claim compensation if their train is “severely” delayed thanks to plans for Virgin Trains to introduce an improved ‘Passenger’s Charter’, incorporating a ‘Delay Repay’ scheme from 1 April 2013, subject to agreement.
HMRC warns of Self Assessment scams 
Inflation rose to 3.8% in July 
Message confirmed for national emergency alert test