1st Apr 2005 07:40
Stagecoach Group PLC01 April 2005 STAGECOACH SHORTLISTED FOR GREATER WESTERN AND THAMESLINK / GREAT NORTHERN RAILFRANCHISES 1 April 2005 Stagecoach Group plc is pleased to confirm that it has been shortlisted by theStrategic Rail Authority to bid for the Greater Western and Thameslink / GreatNorthern rail franchises. Graham Eccles, Stagecoach Group's Executive Director Rail, said: "We aredelighted to have been shortlisted for what are two major franchises bringingsignificant opportunities to expand our rail portfolio. "Both franchises are an excellent fit with our existing rail businesses and arepart of our strategy of selectively targeting commuter and inter-cityfranchises. "We expect there to be tough competition for the right to run these franchises.However, we have a first-class team that has excellent experience of theoperational challenges involved and we are committed to developing bids thatwill improve service to passengers, deliver value for money to taxpayers andprovide the right return to shareholders whose investment is crucial to the railnetwork." ENDS For further information, please contact: Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, mobile 07764 774680. Smithfield tel 0207 360 4900 Notes to Editors Stagecoach operates South West Trains, the UK's biggest commuter rail franchise,which runs 1600 trains a day in the south-west of England out of LondonWaterloo. The Group has a 49% shareholding in Virgin Rail Group, which operates theCrossCountry and West Coast inter-city rail franchises. Stagecoach also has a 29.9% shareholding in the shortlisted Danish StateRailways bid for the Integrated Kent rail franchise. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
SGC.L