Franchise News
First Group-Trenitalia JV pulls out of East Midlands franchise bidding
The joint venture - 70 per cent First Group, 30 per cent Trenitalia - has pulled out to focus on its bid for the West Coast Partnership franchise, according to a spokesperson.
Franchise News
British train operator FirstGroup rejects buyout bid
British rail operator FirstGroup has rejected a takeover bid from US equity firm Apollo Management.
Franchise News
Major disruption to train services in France as three months of rail strikes begin
April 3, or "Black Tuesday" as French media have labelled it, marked the start of three months of rolling nationwide strikes, which will see SNCF staff strike two days in every five until June 28.
Franchise News
GWR announces plans to replace Class 332s as it takes over Heathrow Express service
Great Western Railway (GWR) is to take over the operation of the Heathrow Express rail service later this year.
Franchise News
Renfe and NTV approved to bid for British rail franchises
Spain's national rail operator, Renfe, and the Italian open access operator NTV have received the necessary paperwork from the UK's Department for Transport (DfT) to bid for future passenger rail franchises.
Franchise News
Virgin Trains given contract extension for West Coast franchise
UK transport secretary Chris Grayling has confirmed that Virgin Trains has been given a short, direct award for the West Coast franchise.
Franchise News
Bidders shortlisted for East Midlands franchise
Abellio, Arriva, Stagecoach and a FirstGroup/Trenitalia joint venture have been shortlisted for the new East Midlands rail franchise.
Franchise News
Alstom to join Stagecoach’s Southeastern franchise bid
Stagecoach has announced that Alstom is to become part of its bid for the new Southeastern franchise.
Franchise News
Chris Grayling says Stagecoach ‘got its sums wrong’ as he prepares to terminate East Coast franchise early
The situation on the UK's East Coast franchise has become "much more urgent" as Virgin Trains East Coast is set to run out of money and will only continue for a matter of "a very small number of months".
Franchise News
First look at Greater Anglia’s new Stadler carriages
Greater Anglia has released the first pictures of its new Stadler carriages.
The trains are the first off the production line and have been transported from Stadler's factory in Hungary to Bussnang, Switzerland.
They will now be fitted with seats, lighting and...
Latest News
ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds
New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...