15.10.12
Back and forth
The transport secretary has been announced that Virgin will be asked to continue running trains on the West Coast Main Line for 9-13 months after its official contract ends.
This will be followed by an interim contract lasting just two years, and then the long-term franchise will be re-let.
It means a significant amount of money, time and effort to run so many different competitions and for responsibility for the line to be passed back and forth.
Avoiding more legal issues will be a key priority for government as they seek to repair the damage of those technical errors, and ensure that other franchises out to tender are being judged and calculated accurately.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]