East Coast rail franchise – Transport Focus response to latest update

05 February 2018

This afternoon Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said that the current East Coast rail contract was to end even sooner than expected.

The independent watchdog has called for passengers to be reassured about services in the short term.

Anthony Smith, Transport Focus chief executive, said:

“Passengers’ main concerns will be that the services that they rely on will continue to run and that quality is not compromised in any short-term arrangements that are put in place.

“We expect a transparent approach when any decisions are made. Meanwhile on the West Coast and East Midlands, we will be working with all bidders for future contracts to ensure that passengers’ expectations are met.”

Ends

Notes to editors

In the last National Rail Passenger Survey, out last week, Virgin Trains East Coast scored 92 per cent with Virgin Trains (the west coast) scoring 91 per cent. East Midlands Trains scored 85 per cent. The national average was 81 per cent.