FirstGroup has signed an agreement with the Department for Transport to operate the First TransPennine Express rail franchise for a further year.
This deal means that the First TransPennine Express franchise will operate beyond its current end date of 31 March 2015 to 1 April 2016. This date is coterminous with the government’s anticipated start for the new TransPennine Express franchise. The Group is shortlisted and looks forward to submitting a bid later in the year to deliver significant improvements for customers and value for money for taxpayers.
The award secures continuity of rail services for passengers over the next year and during this period First TransPennine Express will continue to progress areas which passengers have identified as important such as the installation of free Wi-Fi to key stations across the route and an enhanced programme of customer service training.
Commenting, Tim O'Toole, chief executive said, "We have an excellent track record at First TransPennine Express, which provides vital connections between key cities in the North of England and Scotland. Since the franchise began, our experienced team have worked hard to introduce brand new trains, refurbished stations, increased frequency and improved journey times. As a result the service is more popular than ever, now carrying 26m passengers a year compared to 13m in 2004. Today's agreement with the Department for Transport provides continuity and consistency for First TransPennine Express passengers over the next year, as we focus on continuing to deliver great customer service and introducing improvements ahead of submitting our bid for the new franchise later in the Spring.”
