New West Coast deal for Virgin

THE Government has confirmed a 23-month extension to Virgin’s West Coast main line franchise from December 10.

It has also brought forward a deal to introduce 106 new Pendolino carriages which the Department for Transport says equates to 28,000 more seats a day on the line.

In August the Government awarded the franchise to First but then cancelled the deal after revealing there were serious flaws in the tendering process.

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 increased capacity will mean four new 11-carriage trains and lengthening 31 existing trains from nine carriages to 11.