09.11.12
O’Toole in talks to extend Great Western franchise
FirstGroup is in negotiations for an extension to its Great Western rail franchise, as it continues to hold onto the threat of legal action on West Coast after the contract was awarded then overturned.
The company hopes to retain the Great Western route on enhanced terms. The timetable for the new franchise has already moved from April to July and the competition is on hold as an inquiry is conducted into the entire franchising process.
FirstGroup’s chief executive Tim O’Toole is in discussions with the Government and said he was seeking explanations for the West Coast decision.
O’Toole told The Guardian: “We really want to know what the justification was at the time. There was a great deal [in Laidlaw’s report] on the lack of transparency – but that wasn’t a revelation to us. That was the design of the competition.
“We want to know if there were any other options. We want absolute clarity on what went wrong and why it had to be handled this way.”
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Image c. FirstGroup