10.10.12
West Coast decision expected imminently
A decision is expected by the end of the week on who will run services on the West Coast Main Line from December 9, it has been reported.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin is due to give a statement to Parliament when it returns from recess on Monday. The running of the line will either be taken over by DOR, or a management contract with Virgin will be put in place to extend its franchise.
The DfT has admitted there were “fundamental” errors in the bidding process, with technical problems leading to the bidders offering too little protection to taxpayers, and bidders bidding on different assumptions, according to a BBC report.
McLoughlin said: “My objective is not to retreat back but to use the marketplace and its ingenuity to deliver a railway that people are happy with and content to use.”
First Group had previously said it may have to consider launching a legal challenge, after its contract to run the franchise was cancelled.
A DfT spokesperson said McLoughlin was “urgently considering” who will run the line from 9 December.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]