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| Virgin Trains 'to lose West Coast Mainline bid' | Virgin Trains 'to lose West Coast Mainline bid' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Virgin Rail looks set to lose its bid to continue running the West Coast Mainline later, with the UK's largest rail operator expected to take over. | |
| FirstGroup is said to be the front runner for the franchise because it has offered the highest bid. | FirstGroup is said to be the front runner for the franchise because it has offered the highest bid. |
| The government is promising extra seats and more investment in stations along Britain's busiest rail line. | The government is promising extra seats and more investment in stations along Britain's busiest rail line. |
| But unions and rail campaigners warn jobs will be cut, fares will rise and catering services will be cut back. | But unions and rail campaigners warn jobs will be cut, fares will rise and catering services will be cut back. |
| BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says it is the first of several big franchises up for grabs in the next few years, and the government is under pressure to get a good deal. | BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says it is the first of several big franchises up for grabs in the next few years, and the government is under pressure to get a good deal. |
| But picking the biggest bid comes with risks, because it is much harder for the company to make a profit, our correspondent says. | But picking the biggest bid comes with risks, because it is much harder for the company to make a profit, our correspondent says. |
| Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Rail has operated the franchise since 1997 after the privatisation of Britain's railways. | |
| The West Coast Mainline route serves London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the Central Belt of Scotland. | The West Coast Mainline route serves London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the Central Belt of Scotland. |
| Virgin Rail, which is 49% owned by another transport company, Stagecoach, could mount a legal challenge if it loses the franchise. | Virgin Rail, which is 49% owned by another transport company, Stagecoach, could mount a legal challenge if it loses the franchise. |