Statement re FirstGroup Rail Franchises

FIRSTGROUP PLC - Statement re FirstGroup Rail Franchises

PR Newswire

London, March 26

In response to the announcement by the Department for Transport ('DfT') today,FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America,confirms the following with regard to its First Capital Connect, First GreatWestern and First TransPennine Express rail franchises.

The First Capital Connect franchise will continue beyond its current plannedend date of 14 September 2013. As previously indicated the DfT are to exercisethe option in the current contract of a 28 week extension. As well as this, wewill continue our discussions in respect of an agreement for the franchise tocontinue for a further period of six months, to an end date of September 2014.

The First Great Western franchise will continue beyond its current end date of31 March 2013. As previously announced, under the terms of the currentfranchise agreement the 28 week extension period will be activated. In additionwe are in discussions with the DfT in respect of an agreement to continue thefranchise for a further 33 months to July 2016.

The First TransPennine Express franchise will continue beyond its current enddate of April 2015. We will begin discussions with the DfT regarding a tenmonth extension to the current franchise to February 2016.

Commenting, Tim O'Toole, Chief Executive said:

"The publication of the timetable setting out the return to rail franchising isan important development for the industry, enabling the private sector tocontinue to provide effective and efficient passenger rail services withfurther performance and infrastructure improvements. In particular, theextension of our First Capital Connect, First Great Western and FirstTransPennine Express franchises provides continuity and consistency for ourpassengers and enables us to continue to deliver considerable improvements toservices.

"As the UK's largest and most experienced rail operator, we remain committed tomaintaining a leading position in the market. We look forward to reviewing thedetails of the upcoming franchise competitions as they are announced, andsubmitting further high quality bids that deliver for passengers, taxpayers andshareholders."

Further information, FirstGroup:

Stuart Butchers, Group Corporate Communications ManagerTel: +44 7713 317979 / 020 7291 0507