FirstGroup shortlisted for TransPennine Express franchise
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FirstGroup has confirmed it has been shortlisted to extend its operation of the TransPennine Express franchise in the north of England and cross-border services to Scotland, which it has run since 2004.
The current First TransPennine Express franchise is due to end on 31 March 2015 and the company said it was "progressing negotiations" with the Department for Transport to continue operating the franchise until February 2016 when the new contract will begin.
Managing director of FirstGroup's UK rail division Vernon Barker said: "First TransPennine Express now carries 26m passengers a year, twice as many as at the start of the franchise and we recently introduced new, longer, electric trains on the Anglo-Scottish routes which provide an improved timetable and increased capacity.
He added: "We look forward to reviewing the contract details and submitting a compelling and value for money bid which meets the needs of taxpayers as well as customers and businesses along the route."
Shares in FirstGroup were up 1.1% to 119.9p at 08:11 on Tuesday.
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