Virgin takes ‘first step’ towards reviving West Coast services
Virgin Group has confirmed reports that it has applied to the Office of Rail and Road for open access rights on the West Coast Main Line. The move comes only days after FirstGroup, which owns the majority of Avanti West Coast, said it was applying to run open access services between Rochdale and London. Virgin’s plans are the most ambitious ever proposed by a potential open access operator, because it wants to run between London, Birmingham and Manchester, and also to Liverpool and Glasgow, offering hourly services to most of those cities and two-hourly to Glasgow. It would also serve Rochdale.
FirstGroup plans open access from RochdaleFirstGroup has unveiled plans to provide open access services between Rochdale and London. First already runs open access services from Hull and Edinburgh, and says the trains for the new service will be built in Britain. An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road to provide six daily return journeys between Rochdale and London, calling at Manchester Victoria ,Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay.
Five train-builders shortlisted by SoutheasternSoutheastern has shortlisted five train builders as it begins planning a new or upgraded fleet for its Metro services. They are currently operated by Class 465 Networkers built between 1991 and 1994 for British Rail. The named suppliers are Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Siemens and Stadler. Both Alstom at Derby and Hitachi in County Durham have been on the danger list in recent months, because of a shortage of new orders.
ALSO IN THE NEWS
CONTACT
Stay in touch with Railnews by signing up to our email newsletter