Menu
28/08/2012
Virgin Trains To Continue Court Proceedings
Virgin Trains Limited will commence Court proceedings in respect of West Coast Main Line franchise award.
The firm said in a statement: "Virgin Trains Limited (VTL) has today commenced Court proceedings in respect of the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup.
"We have tried for three weeks to get clarity over the Department for Transport's decision and to have a number of key questions answered. On each occasion we have been refused information.
"We are left with no choice but to commence Court proceedings as we believe the procurement process has ignored the substantial risks to taxpayers and customers of delivering FirstGroup's bid over the course of the franchise."
In addition it has ignored the DfT's own assessment that VTL's bid was more deliverable and a lower risk. We question whether FirstGroup’s bid has been correctly risk adjusted by the Department given all of its supposed incremental value is delivered after 2022.
The current process is geared to selecting the highest risk bid and needs to be independently audited to prevent a repeat of former franchise failures."
Sir Richard Branson, Founder Virgin Group, said: "We had hoped that Parliament or an external review would be able to scrutinise this badly flawed process before the franchise was signed.
"However that opportunity would be denied if the DfT follows through with its determination to rush through the process before Parliament returns next week.
"That ignores the wishes of more than 150,000 people who signed the Downing St e-petition in 10 days, the Labour Opposition, two important Commons committees and many backbench Conservative MPs who wanted a debate before the decision is taken, not a post-mortem afterwards.
"We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the only course now available to try to unravel this sorry process."
(CD)
The firm said in a statement: "Virgin Trains Limited (VTL) has today commenced Court proceedings in respect of the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup.
"We have tried for three weeks to get clarity over the Department for Transport's decision and to have a number of key questions answered. On each occasion we have been refused information.
"We are left with no choice but to commence Court proceedings as we believe the procurement process has ignored the substantial risks to taxpayers and customers of delivering FirstGroup's bid over the course of the franchise."
In addition it has ignored the DfT's own assessment that VTL's bid was more deliverable and a lower risk. We question whether FirstGroup’s bid has been correctly risk adjusted by the Department given all of its supposed incremental value is delivered after 2022.
The current process is geared to selecting the highest risk bid and needs to be independently audited to prevent a repeat of former franchise failures."
Sir Richard Branson, Founder Virgin Group, said: "We had hoped that Parliament or an external review would be able to scrutinise this badly flawed process before the franchise was signed.
"However that opportunity would be denied if the DfT follows through with its determination to rush through the process before Parliament returns next week.
"That ignores the wishes of more than 150,000 people who signed the Downing St e-petition in 10 days, the Labour Opposition, two important Commons committees and many backbench Conservative MPs who wanted a debate before the decision is taken, not a post-mortem afterwards.
"We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the only course now available to try to unravel this sorry process."
(CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 January 2012
Over 28,000 Extra Train Seats Agreed
An extra 28,000 train seats between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow could be made available daily, according to the Government's latest tender.
Over 28,000 Extra Train Seats Agreed
An extra 28,000 train seats between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow could be made available daily, according to the Government's latest tender.
22 September 2006
Stagecoach wins South Western Trains franchise
Stagecoach has been awarded a new contract to run the South Western franchise from February 4, 2007 for ten years, the Department of Transport has announced. The South Western franchise comprises services currently operated by South West Trains, including key commuter routes into London and the Island Line on the Isle Of Wight.
Stagecoach wins South Western Trains franchise
Stagecoach has been awarded a new contract to run the South Western franchise from February 4, 2007 for ten years, the Department of Transport has announced. The South Western franchise comprises services currently operated by South West Trains, including key commuter routes into London and the Island Line on the Isle Of Wight.
19 June 2014
Virgin Wins Announces West Coast Franchise
Virgin Trains and the Department for Transport have signed a new deal guaranteeing big improvements for both passengers and taxpayers. The new West Coast franchise will run until March 2017 and will see significant improvements for customers with the introduction of free superfast WiFi, more seats and new services.
Virgin Wins Announces West Coast Franchise
Virgin Trains and the Department for Transport have signed a new deal guaranteeing big improvements for both passengers and taxpayers. The new West Coast franchise will run until March 2017 and will see significant improvements for customers with the introduction of free superfast WiFi, more seats and new services.
15 August 2012
Virgin Trains Lose West Coast Mainline Franchise
The UKs largest rail operator, FirstGroup, will take over the running of the West Coast Mainline, after Virgin Rail lost its bid to continue operating the service. Sir Richard Branson said Virgin's loss of the franchise was "very disappointing news".
Virgin Trains Lose West Coast Mainline Franchise
The UKs largest rail operator, FirstGroup, will take over the running of the West Coast Mainline, after Virgin Rail lost its bid to continue operating the service. Sir Richard Branson said Virgin's loss of the franchise was "very disappointing news".
09 June 2009
Improved Stations And Better Security For Train Services Announced
Passengers in London and the South East can look forward to more frequent rail services, improved stations, more staff and better security, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said today as he awarded the South Central rail franchise to Southern Railways Ltd., a subsidiary of Govia Ltd - the current franchise operator.
Improved Stations And Better Security For Train Services Announced
Passengers in London and the South East can look forward to more frequent rail services, improved stations, more staff and better security, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said today as he awarded the South Central rail franchise to Southern Railways Ltd., a subsidiary of Govia Ltd - the current franchise operator.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
