Date: 02/10/2012

The transport group that beat Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Rail to win the West Coast main line today said it still expected to commence the franchise as scheduled despite a legal challenge. FirstGroup was awarded the London to Scotland line by the Department for Transport (DfT) in August but Virgin Rail, a joint venture between Virgin and Stagecoach, is pursuing a challenge against the government department.

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FirstGroup confident it will take over West Coast line

Evening Standard

FirstGroup said today it expected to take over the West Coast rail franchise on December 9, dismissing Virgin Trains hopes of retaining its grip on the lucrative line.