Virgin to lose West Coast?

[JamieLei]

The seats issue was their reaction to the fact there isn't enough seats. By reducing padding and making them more upright, they can squeeze in more seats.

[Geo Ghost]

I don't have anything major against FirstGroup any more. I've had serious safety concerns which everyone probably remembers. But, the trains run, they are mostly on time, and I can get where I need to go with a reasonable service. It's not brilliant, but it's not horrendous either - I'll give them that.

The only major thing I have got against them is this. Why... why in the name of bloody hell... for the last train on new years did they only run a 4 coach and not an 8 coach. Just.. what?! That will always baffle me utterly.

[Kevo00]

Don't think he disagreed with you.

Indeed, I was only citing some evidence of the financial problems First are having.

Meanwhile, First are now in my bad books for cancelling the bus route I rely on for my daily commute...

[Nawdic]

Going back on the subject about seats, a 319's seats see pm to be the most comfy although cramped, so First are doing at least something right in my neck of the woods.

[JamieLei]

Don't think he disagreed with you.

Indeed, I was only citing some evidence of the financial problems First are having.

Meanwhile, First are now in my bad books for cancelling the bus route I rely on for my daily commute...

They cancelled the 4?!!?!

[thphwh]

IIRC They are also pulling all bus services out of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. This leaves Stagecoach a small bus network in Devon and a small network for Greyhound. I'm not sure whether this is correct or no though I'm sure they're cutting services.

[Chris]

All the buses in Leeds seem to be First, so they better not mess them up. Not that I've used a bus yet; I pretty much walk everywhere.

[Kevo00]

Don't think he disagreed with you.

Indeed, I was only citing some evidence of the financial problems First are having.

Meanwhile, First are now in my bad books for cancelling the bus route I rely on for my daily commute...

They cancelled the 4?!!?!

Shortened it at each end. At the Acomb end they have extended the 5 to compensate, but at the university they have shortened the route back so that the campus I work on is no longer served. Means that there are now no through bus services from the rest of York to the Heslington East campus. The fancy FTR buses were moved to Leeds/Bradford ages ago due to pressure from the cycle lobby (despite the fact that the 3 is still a bendy bus).

[Redirect Left]

Allegedly, Branson may be lining up to make an offer to run the ECML; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market ... -line.html

[Geo Ghost]

Allegedly, Branson may be lining up to make an offer to run the ECML; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market ... -line.html

That, would be incredible! I'm certain his level of investment would help with a number of projects

[Redirect Left]

Allegedly, Branson may be lining up to make an offer to run the ECML; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market ... -line.html

That, would be incredible! I'm certain his level of investment would help with a number of projects

Indeed. Personally i'd love to see Virgin running both WCML & ECML, as I personally think that only Virgin will actually get the job done to satisfactory levels on both lines, with enough thought to current and future projects on the line, and probably run it (ECML) better than than previous operators.

[EXTspotter]

I am very happy with the current government run operation on the ECML. It offers a very good service and often has very good deals. £45 for Guildford - Durham return is pretty reasonable in my opinion and £10 to upgrade to first on EC was worth it for the food alone, let alone the wifi, comfort, drinks and amazing service.

[Chris]

I shudder at the thought of a 91 in Virgin.

[thphwh]

If the government can run the ECML, then why can they not run the rest of our railways?

[Ameecher]

Allegedly, Branson may be lining up to make an offer to run the ECML; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market ... -line.html

That, would be incredible! I'm certain his level of investment would help with a number of projects

Virgin didn't invest anything really in the WCML, that was all Railtrack and the Government, it's a common myth that the WCML upgrade was Virgin's doing when it really wasn't, they just have a good PR machine.

[SquireJames]

If the government can run the ECML, then why can they not run the rest of our railways?

It did make me chuckle when I realised that basically the ECML was grouped in 1921, nationalised in 1948, privatised in 1995, and now basically nationalised again. It did raise the same thought in me, that if we're going to have all this drama over franchises and so forth and the fact that private operators have not really fulfilled the ideal that the government (at least professed) or the public had namely that of competitive services encouraging fair prices, well paying franchises helping offset the cost of less profitable routes and so forth, why not simply re-nationalise the whole thing and have done.

Would never happen under our current coalition though, or under tories alone. I doubt even this new brand of tory we have masquerading as a labour candidate would do it. Public ownership apparently isn't politically fashionable today.

[Geo Ghost]

Allegedly, Branson may be lining up to make an offer to run the ECML; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market ... -line.html

That, would be incredible! I'm certain his level of investment would help with a number of projects

Virgin didn't invest anything really in the WCML, that was all Railtrack and the Government, it's a common myth that the WCML upgrade was Virgin's doing when it really wasn't, they just have a good PR machine.

A man can dream can't he?

Didn't mention anything about the WCML though

[Dave]

No, but you mentioned his willingness to invest - and the first thing that came into my head was Virgin's "investment" in the WCML project.

The only major investment from a TOC so far is Chiltern.