12.03.15
Open access on East Coast – why not West Coast?
Source: Mike B
Apart from Virgin/Stagecoach's new franchised service, the East Coast may also now have a myriad of open access operators. On the other hand, the ORR denies GNWR access to run services on the West Coast because they would have a negative impact on the revenues of Virgin Trains.
So, there will be competition on one side of the country, with passengers having a choice of operators, whereas on the other side passengers will be stuck with one monopoly operator for all services to London from north of the West Midlands.
Re: FirstGroup plans new London-Scotland open access operations