Virgin Trains News

Virgin Trains commences Court proceedings in respect of West Coast Main Line
Virgin Trains Limited (VTL) has commenced Court proceedings in respect of the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup.

Virgin Trains launches West Coast Mainline court action
Virgin Trains has launched formal legal proceedings following the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup. The move follows earlier confirmation from the government the move would go ahead before parliament returns from recess.

Concern mounts over transfer of West Coast rail franchise
As more than 100,000 people sign the petition set up by passenger Ross McKillop to force a debate in Parliament on the decision to strip Virgin Trains of the prestigious West Coast rail franchise, celebrities are offering their support.

West Coast Mainline fight drags on
The Labour party has called on ministers to delay the singing of a new contract on the West Coast Mainline franchise until parliament returns from its summer recess. The move follows a controversial decision to take the franchise from Virgin Trains and give it to FirstGroup for the next 13 years.

Celebrities back ‘Keep Virgin trains’ e-petition
High profile celebrities have given their backing to the independently-set up Government-run e-petition to force a debate in Parliament on the decision to strip Virgin Trains of the prestigious West Coast rail franchise.

Statement from Sir Richard Branson, founder Virgin Group
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group made a statement, following the DFT’s decision to award the West Coast Mainline franchise to FirstGroup

DfT announcement for new Intercity West Coast franchise
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that following a bidding competition, Virgin Rail Group will not be operating the new Intercity West Coast franchise which starts on 9 December 2012 and runs through to 31 March 2026.

Virgin trains plays its part in 2012 games success
Virgin Trains is proud to have played its part in helping Britain deliver a fantastic 2012 Games experience.

Virgin Rail bumped from West Coast Mainline
Virgin Rail has lost its contract to operate the West Coast Mainline to rival FirstGroup rail minister Theresa Villiers has confirmed. FirstGroup will create a new company, First West Coast, to operator the ‘InterCity West Coast’ franchise.

Virgin Trains is best in class again
Virgin Trains has once again been given top marks by its customers, with the highest satisfaction ratings ever achieved in the National Passenger Survey by a long-distance rail franchise operator.

Bromptondock folding cycle hire scheme launches in Stoke-on-Trent
A Bromptondock automated bike hire scheme, featuring the Brompton folding bicycle, has been installed at Stoke-on-Trent railway station in Staffordshire, the second to be launched this year in partnership with Virgin Trains,the first being set up at Manchester Piccadilly station in March.

Glasgow gains thousands of extra train seats to cope with demand
Thousands of extra seats will be available this summer to cope with a huge increase in demand for travel on Virgin Pendolino trains between Glasgow Central and London Euston.