The
company, under the name First West Coast Limited, will take over the franchise
from 9 December and is due to operate the service until 2026. The West Coast
main line is a lucrative business proposition, having experienced a surge in
passenger numbers from 13m to 31m in the last 15 years.
FirstGroup
says it will introduce 11 new 125mph six-car electric trains on the
Birmingham-to-Glasgow route and provide more direct services between
destinations. It’s also promised to add a further 40,000 seats a day on West
Coast routes from 2016.
But
what does all this mean for the business traveller and business travel buyer?
After all, Virgin Trains has done an excellent job of attracting and retaining
business travel customers during its 15-year West Coast reign.
If
FirstGroup keeps its promises and really does increase direct services and
capacity, then this is only good news for the business traveller reducing both
journey times and disruptions. And, as FirstGroup owns a substantial chunk of
the UK rail network then maybe, just maybe, there will be an opportunity for
business travel buyers to negotiate volume discounts for the first time, which
may well help to offset those rather steep fare increases.
Of course, it’s very early days, but let’s hope that FirstGroup bears the business traveller in mind when rolling out its franchise strategy in a few months time.
David
Chapple is event director of the Business Travel Show. Commuting to central
London from the Home Counties each day, he’s a bit of an expert on rail travel.
Challenge him on Twitter @btshowlondon.
Most franchises have consistency across the country that all franchises must follow. This contains things like buying and closing times, clothing, licenses, allows, providers choosing and training of workers and so much more.
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