20th Mar 2015 07:17
LONDON (Alliance News) - FirstGroup PLC on Friday said it has agreed a deal with the UK Department for Transport to operate the First Transpennine Express rail franchise for a further year.
The FTSE 250-listed transport company said the deal will mean the franchise will operate beyond its current end date of March 31, 2015 to April 1, 2016, in line with the UK government's anticipated start of the new Transpennine Express franchise.
FirstGroup said it is shortlisted for the new franchise and intends to submit a bid later in the year.
"Today's agreement with the Department for Transport provides continuity and consistency for First
TransPennine Express passengers over the next year, as we focus on continuing to deliver great customer service and introducing improvements ahead of submitting our bid for the new franchise later in the Spring," said FirstGroup Chief Executive Tim O'Toole.
The Department for Transport said in a separate statement that the deal extension with FirstGroup will mean more seats, better service and free Wi-Fi at stations on the route. It added the competition to appoint a new operator for the franchise is underway.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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