Virgin must operate train line during retender
Published by Simon Gwynn on Thu 04 Oct 12 @ 10:07
Glasgow Chamber has called for Virgin Rail to continue running the West Coast Main Line during the retendering process which follows the scrapping of the franchise award to FirstGroup.
Chief executive Stuart Patrick said: "We must be clear exactly how the West Coast Main Line will operate during the retendering - with our preference being for Virgin to continue its operation meantime. The line is an absolutely vital link to England for business in Glasgow and many other parts of Scotland.
"There must also be some clear independent input to the agreement of compensation for the companies involved in the collapsed tendering process - both of whom have expended a lot of staff time and effort on their bids.
"We are extremely disappointed that the Civil Service could have made such an embarrassing hash of a job that should have been well within its capabilities.
"We must be careful that the reviews which will now take place will once and for all repair the flaws in the franchising process. Next time they have to get it right."
