West Coast interim deal with Virgin confirmed: Passenger Focus response

28 March 2013

Today the Department for Transport has announced that it has reached an agreement with Virgin Trains to run the West Coast franchise for up to 23 months while a new franchise is let.

Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said:

“Passengers will welcome the stability this deal will bring. We look forward to working with Virgin and the Department for Transport to secure extra passenger improvements in this period, on top of what is already promised.

“Statistics out today show that the railways are continuing to attract record numbers of passengers. This is definitely not the time for a ‘fallow period’ – some of the promised investment from a new, longer term franchise can be started on now.”

Notes to Editors