RAIL passengers have said their voices must be heard after the Government extended a key franchise.
First Group will now run the Great Western line, linking London with the South West and Wales via Oxfordshire until 2016, after its contract was extended.
The competition for a new contract was cancelled after the Government was successfully challenged by Virgin over its decision to award the West Coast mainline franchise to First.
The Department for Transport yesterday announced the contract had been extended until July 2016, more than a year after the next General Election.
In a speech to the House of Commons, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said passengers’ views would hold more importance in the new contracts.
But Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said it was “crucial” that effective passenger consultation started immediately.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here