UK rail operator FirstGroup has agreed a five-year IT innovation framework with IPL, a systems integrator specialising in digital innovation and Enterprise Information Management. The agreement will see the companies working together to identify and develop ways to improve the customer experience by enhancing the way it operates its train companies, which include First Great Western and First TransPennine Express.

British transport organisation FirstGroup has seen profits fall over the financial year, as a tough economic climate puts pressure on its American operations. Intercity bus network Greyhound saw profits slump, but the group’s UK train and bus operations saw like-for-like passenger revenue increase.