Stagecoach
has announced that VRG has now agreed a new West Coast franchise
with the DfT. It will commence on 1 April 2018 and run
potentially until 31 March 2020, with the final 12 months at the
DfT's discretion.
Passengers
and taxpayers will benefit from a package of improvements, including:
· introduction
of free WiFi for all passengers on board Pendolino trains
· all
ticket machines to offer contactless payment
· new
investment to improve stations and the travelling environment on
trains
· extra
help and improved accessibility for customers at stations
· better
customer information during disruption
· new
apprenticeship opportunities, including for train driver roles
The
contract includes substantial planned premium payments to the DfT as
well as revenue and profit share arrangements with the DfT. VRG
expects to make a modest profit margin under the franchise. Stagecoach,
Virgin Group and SNCF, bidding as West Coast Partnership Limited,
have been shortlisted for the West Coast Partnership franchise.
Stagecoach has a 50% share in the bid vehicle, with a 30% share held
by SNCF and the remaining 20% owned by Virgin. The DfT plans
that the franchise will include current West Coast services
and the first few years of operation of High Speed 2 services.
