Fresh battle expected over east coast line

[Callum Johnstone]

Source: The Scotsman
27/01/04

Fresh battle expected over east coast line

A new battle for GNER's east coast main line franchise is expected to
break out imminently, with the Strategic Rail Authority about to
advertise for expressions of interest from potential bidders. However,
The Scotsman understands that a parallel process to upgrade the
Edinburgh-London route has been delayed by the rail review announced
last week by Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary.

A fierce contest last year between GNER and Virgin, for an
originally-planned 20-year franchise, ended with the former being
granted a two-year extension to May 2005. GNER said last night it was
delighted that the bid process was about to start. Virgin said it
would wait for details before deciding whether to lodge a bid.

[David A Gourlay]

Am I a bit daft, or would even considering Virgin for the East Coast
mainline be going against the whole point of railway privatisation -
introducing competition? It's bad enough that Virgin have West Coast AND
Cross Country, but to give them East Coast too.....

Post by Callum Johnstone
Source: The Scotsman
27/01/04
Fresh battle expected over east coast line
A new battle for GNER's east coast main line franchise is expected to
break out imminently, with the Strategic Rail Authority about to
advertise for expressions of interest from potential bidders. However,
The Scotsman understands that a parallel process to upgrade the
Edinburgh-London route has been delayed by the rail review announced
last week by Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary.
A fierce contest last year between GNER and Virgin, for an
originally-planned 20-year franchise, ended with the former being
granted a two-year extension to May 2005. GNER said last night it was
delighted that the bid process was about to start. Virgin said it
would wait for details before deciding whether to lodge a bid.