First Great Western is to continue running rail services between the West and London for another three years under a franchise extension announced today by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
The train operator had previously been granted a six-month extension until October following the fallout from the West Coast franchise debacle last year.
First Great Western will run mainline services through Swindon to London Paddington, Bristol, Cardiff and Gloucester under the franchise extension until July 2016. New franchises will then take effect.
Mr McLoughlin also announced a number of new investments in the railways and a new timetable for franchises.
Tim O’Toole, chief executive of First Great Western owner First Group, said: “This provides continuity and consistency for our passengers and enables us to continue to deliver considerable improvements to services.
“We look forward to reviewing the details of the upcoming franchise competitions as they are announced, and submitting further high-quality bids that deliver for passengers, taxpayers and shareholders.”
