Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

• MikeB, Liverpool

  Perhaps J.K. of Crewe and others want Keolis/SNCF to take over because they have the notion that, like all the European state-owned rail groups, they do a far better job of operating train services. Therefore they think that the likes of SNCF, DB and NS, should be allowed to run all UK franchises in place of "nasty" Virgin and the "horrible" bus companies. They undoubtedly believe in open access but probably do not realise that France, in particular, is far from open as only French private companies are allowed to compete with SNCF. They do not want "Johnny Foreigner" running their trains so why should we allow the French to run ours?

• William Cameron, Troon, UK

  Virgin or First?
  Virgin have done a teriffic job considering the franchise they inherited in the 90's. The fact they lost the Cross Country franchise is down to the Dft choosing the cheapest bidder, just like they did with East Coast and we know which way that went. Rail usage has risen dramatically over the past 10 years and again, it's unfair to blame Virgin for the overcrowding as the Dft seem to hold all the cards when it comes to providing rolling stock. If the government were willing to let Virgin do as they wished we would benefit from a much improved service.
  First group have turned the ScotRail franchise around and would also be worthy of running the west coast franchise, perhaps with the ability to incorporate an improved sleeper service assuming they hold on to the ScotRail franchise. With First about to surrender the GW franchise, which was negotiated with the government at the beginning of the franchise, there is a risk they may be left with only 2 franchises and an open access route should they lose out to Stagecoach in Scotland.
  Stagecoach also started as a bus company in Scotland and their owner is a big donor to the SNP who currently govern in Scotland. Not only that, but the Scottish Government has spoken about nationalising or taking control of the railway in the past. This could be easily achieved by giving Transport Scotland the authority to operate ScotRail instead of paying a private company the subsidies they currently do.
  If you look at the ScotRail branding it includes the wording 'Scotland's Railway' and that it is operated by 'First'. With the first minister in Scotland keen to put his stamp on everything Scottish I see no reason why this feather could not be placed firmly in his cap, particularly with an independence referendum in his sights!

• J K, Crewe, United Kingdom

  Hooray our chance to get rid of Virgin once and for all.

• david c smith, milton keynes, UK

  A problem with large stations being run by one TOC is that often such stations are host to several, sometimes competing TOC's. If one TOC is in charge of the station, the others could be disadvantaged. Another possibility might be ownership by the local municipality.
  
  As for lack of seats on Virgin, I live on the WCML and often see Pendolino's with virtually empty 1st class coaches outside the business-travel peaks. Currently 1st class seats are an underexploited assett - why not offer either an off-peak reduced 1st fare or an extension into weekday off-peak trains of the"weekend first" supplement on top of the standard fare? These could help fill empty seats and take pressure off standard class accommodation.

• Al, Manchester, UK

  Virgin should get the tender back. I am concerned that FirstGroup have far too much of the UK's rail systems- largely ScotRail, Transpennine, Great Western, Hull & Capital Connect. They are not renewing GW but if they do have ScotRail, Transpennine AND WCML then there would be no competition at all from services above Crewe northwards. This would mean the cost of tickets to Glasgow/ Edinburgh/ Preston and Scotland to Manchester would shoot up!! Abellio currently operate Northern Rail in conjunction with Serco and the service is one of the biggest in the UK in terms of milage and rolling stock (largely 2 car trains), so surely they shouldn't get it. Keolis are in a joint partnership with First Transpennine Express so again there would be no competition north of Crewe since they own 45% of TP. So that kind of only leaves Virgin left in the group, since their partner Stagecoach operates East Midlands Trains which don't use the WCML at all allowing there to be no competition. If Virgin don't get it then there would surely be a case for the office of fair trading to get involved.

• Terry Piper, Altrincham, United Kingdom

  where do the 'extra' 28000 seats come from? aren't these already being introduced before the end of the current franchise.
  
  I think it's daft not to increase all the pendolinos to 11 coaches as managing the fleet will be more complex. Extra trains to cover all the birmingham to glasgow/edinburgh services and add an extra london - liverpool hourly service to reduce the over crowding that currently exists.
  
  As to Virgin - making things better as thier current ads say, erm they jury is definately still out in my opinion

• Rav, Bham

  I dont think that anyone can suggest that virgin do not run a tight ship
  They just need to do something about their prices and stop defection to
  Chiltern

• Windsorian, UK

  At present the 9 car Pendolino has a total of 147 first class seats spread over 4 carriages. One of the comments made by the anti-HS2 brigade was that the recession had considerably reduced 1st Class demand and additional capacity could be provided by converting one of the existing 1st Class carriages to standard class.
  
  The Intermediate motor: first class open (MF) has 46 first class seats and if this was converted to standard seating (MS) then between 66 and 76 additional standard class seats would be available on each train in addition to the 11 car extensions.
  
  The only real question is whether there are 46 empty 1st Class seats on each existing Pendolino train and / or whether a new WCML franchisee is prepared to fund such a change ?
  

• Chris Reynell, Longstock, Hampshire.

  Birmingham International station has space for another island platform. You may have seen the space set aside between the up platforms and the exhibition centre.
  The Virgin Birmingham to Scotland and perhaps London Midland Liverpool services could terminate here freeing up platform capacity at New Street.
  
  The West Coast franchise has been successful because of the stability of a long franchise period. Well done Virgin - hope you win the next round.

• Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, England

  It was recently suggested that Clapham Junction station could benefit if its ownership was transferred to Network Rail who could plan a major upgrade and make better use of the land at this station. So with the WCML out to tender are there any major stations on the WCML that might benefit from being transferred to Network rail? This could also come in handy when plans for HS2 and its benefits of released capacity allow upgrades to existing stations to cater for traffic that cant be accomodated at present.
  
  While it would surely make sense to include lengthening further 9 carraige pendolinos a requirement of the new award as this would negate the claims of the Anti HS2 brigade who use this as a reason not to build HS2. Making more Pendolinos 11 carraige would help build custom and with it the case/need for HS2!!
  
  Another issue must surely be getting Pendolinos to operate at their original planned speeds as this would again bring forward the case for HS2 and reduce journey times. So why not allow speeds above 125 mph along sections that are suitable for 130-140 mph?
  
  

• MikeB, Liverpool

  Agree with Jim Campbell that Virgin have had their critics over the past few years. Service reliability on the WCML plumetted some years ago but this was probably more down to capacity restraints and infrastructure problems than pure operator fault. As services are now much improved with new Pendolinos coming on stream, Virgin should be given the opportunity to carry on. As for the other shortlisted operators, Abellio already have three franchises and the question is whether they should be given any more and the French government may soon find themselves in economic problems with the euro which would certainly effect SNCF. Which leaves First Group as perhaps the only other credible name in the frame.

• Paul southall, Barking, England

  I live in London and have relations living in Inverness, I often make the trip via rail. To give you guys some idea the growing difference between the west coast line and the east coast line, I travelled up to Glasgow on viegin trains, had breakfast and sandwiches. The journey was smooth snd the staff were friendly. The train arrived on time at Glasgow which was vital as I made my way to queen st to catch the Inverness train. On the return journey, I travelled directly from Inverness to kings cross. I was served breakfast, in my opinion was half the size as virgin. After Edinburgh I was refused lunch as I had already had breakfast. On a 8 hour or so journey, I was not impressed. We arrived at kings cross 45 minutes late. Virgin have come a long way and would love to see them taking me up to my family in the long future.

• Bim Tap, Venezia, Italy

  Anyone but Worst Group, please...

• Jim Campbell, Birmingham, UK

  It is one thing to invite flexible bids but in the end let's hope it isn't down to the lowest bidder regardless of what they offer. At present we have a very good operator in Virgin and I would like to see it continue but look what happened to the cross country franchise.
  Virgin lost out to a lower bidder who then couldn't keep their promises.
  Arriva also cut one of the conditions of the bid in that they were to match Virgin's ticketing arrangemnt whereby railcard holders were entitled to travel on Saver tickets at peak times. They reneged on that when the name of the tickets was changed from Savers to Advance. In practice the same ticket but with a new name. Virgin still offer the deal on West Coast but Arriva do not.
  Virgin have their critics and there is a feeling the DfT don't like them but in my opinion any existing franchise holder should be the natural winner unless there are very good reasons for changing.