Date: 05/10/2014

First Great Western (FGW) is set to get a five-year extension to its contract without competition against other bidders, the BBC understands. The railway firm has already been given two extensions since the franchising programme collapsed two years ago. This extension enables a major rail electrification programme to be completed but it has angered the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. [From Mark Bartlett]

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Rail firm set to get 5-year extension

BBC News

The BBC understands First Great Western is set to be given a five-year extension to run its railway service without any competition.