South West: First Great Western Wins New Franchise

3 October 2013, 10:36 | Updated: 3 October 2013, 10:37

First Great Western has won a new franchise to run trains from here to London until at least September 2015.

As part of the deal passengers are being promised improved services, including greater WiFi coverage. 

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: ''The Great Western franchise provides a vital service for thousands of passengers every day and under this deal they will see real benefits. 

''For communities like Devon and Cornwall the train is a life-line bringing in business and helping secure the leisure industry the community relies upon. This agreement will provide additional sleeper carriages between London and Cornwall securing the future of a key service once under threat. 

''We have also secured a commitment to deliver greater WiFi coverage to improve the experience of long distance journeys for passengers. But I am also determined that we see further improvements during the lifetime of this contract; more standard class and fewer first class seats on key services and the delivery of more electric trains for the Thames Valley. 

''This agreement provides further proof that the Government's new franchising schedule is on track, delivering value for money for the tax-payer and supporting the ongoing multi-billion pound investment programme in our railways.'' 

Wider benefits secured as part of this announcement by the Department for Transport include two additional sleeper carriages for services between London and Cornwall, the retention of through services from Cornwall, Hereford, Weston-super-Mare, Bedwyn and Pewsey to London and more car parking spaces at Bristol Parkway station by spring 2014. 

In addition the Government-funded National Station Improvement Programme will see FGW get £4.6m to upgrade stations most in need across the Great Western network. The Great Western Main Line is also set to benefit from 57 state-of-the-art intercity express trains as part of the Government's £5.8 billion Intercity Express Programme from 2017. 

The Department for Transport will continue to work with FGW on a number of other proposals to improve services over the next two years, including increasing the capacity of the existing high speed train fleet, with the addition of new seating in advance of the arrival of the new intercity express trains, smart ticketing and improvements to stations at Gloucester, Exeter Central, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and Truro.