FirstGroup has won the franchise to run West Coast Main Line intercity trains, despite opposition from its own shareholders, fears over the financial viability of its other rail operations and legal action by rival bidders. It will take over on 8th December 2019 The government announced that First, the majority partner in a joint venture with the Italian state operator Trenitalia, will take over intercity services on the London-Glasgow line from December. The line, which links the capital with cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, has been run since privatisation by Virgin Rail. Trenitalia has also been named “shadow operator” for HS2. The company willRead More →