24 Mar 2011 07:20
24th March 2011
Virgin Rail Group shortlisted for West Coast rail franchise
Stagecoach Group plc ("Stagecoach") today welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport that Virgin Rail Group ("VRG") has pre-qualified to bid for the new West Coast rail franchise, which is expected to start in April 2012.
VRG, a joint venture between Stagecoach and Virgin Group, is the operator of the current West Coast franchise through its Virgin Trains brand. The franchise is due to expire in March 2012.
VRG has a proven track record over the last 14 years of providing better rail services for customers, including the renewal of the entire train fleet and the introduction of a high-frequency timetable. In the last six years alone, annual passenger numbers have doubled from 14 million to over 28 million and Virgin is now delivering industry-leading levels of customer satisfaction.
Tony Collins, Virgin Rail Group Chief Executive, said: "We now look forward to see what the government includes in the tender for the franchise. We intend to submit a very strong bid to retain the West Coast franchise, building on the investment and customer improvements we have made. We have plenty of innovative ideas and look forward to working with local communities along the route, as well as other stakeholders, to develop these plans."
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111
Email: steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Virgin Rail Group, which has operated the West Coast passenger train franchise since 1997, is owned 51% by Virgin Group and 49% by Stagecoach Group.
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs around 35,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.
Stagecoach operates the South Western rail franchise, which includes the South West Trains and Island Line networks. South West Trains, the UK's biggest commuter rail network, runs nearly 1700 trains a day in the south-west of England out of London Waterloo. Island Line, on the Isle of Wight, has been designated a Community Rail Partnership.
In addition, Stagecoach runs the East Midlands rail franchise. East Midlands Trains operates high-speed long distance services from London St. Pancras to Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham, Liverpool - Norwich and regional services throughout Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
Stagecoach is also Britain's biggest tram operator, running networks in both Sheffield and Manchester.