FirstGroup sticks by franchise date

The British transport group that beat Richard Branson’s Virgin Rail to win the West Coast main line today said it still expected to commence the franchise as scheduled despite a legal challenge.

FirstGroup was awarded the London to Scotland line by the Department for Transport (DfT) in August but Virgin Rail, a joint venture between Virgin and Stagecoach, is pursuing a challenge against the government department.

FirstGroup, which runs First Great Western, TransPennine Express, First Capital Connect and Scotrail services, insisted the process had been “rigorous, detailed and fair” and was preparing to commence the handover on December 9.

The Aberdeen-based group, which is also the UK’s biggest bus operator, said its rail division should report an 8.1% rise in like-for-like passenger revenues in the six months to September 30, down from the 8.4% growth experienced in the year to March.