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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Eurostar bids for East Coast Main Line franchise | Eurostar bids for East Coast Main Line franchise |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Eurostar is bidding to run a newly-privatised East Coast Main Line. | Eurostar is bidding to run a newly-privatised East Coast Main Line. |
| The firm which runs high-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel is to launch a joint bid with French company Keolis to work the London to Scotland route. | The firm which runs high-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel is to launch a joint bid with French company Keolis to work the London to Scotland route. |
| It has been run by the government since 2009, when National Express handed back the franchise mid-term. | It has been run by the government since 2009, when National Express handed back the franchise mid-term. |
| Labour and trades unions have opposed returning the line to private control, arguing that it provides value for taxpayers. | Labour and trades unions have opposed returning the line to private control, arguing that it provides value for taxpayers. |
| Eurostar would take a minority share in the Keolis-Eurostar consortium. | Eurostar would take a minority share in the Keolis-Eurostar consortium. |
| Keolis, which is majority-owned by French rail company SNCF, already has a share in four UK franchises - Southern, Southeastern, London Midland and TransPennine Express, which it operates through joint ventures with British companies. | |
| 'Force for good' | 'Force for good' |
| Its UK chief executive Alistair Gordon said: "I believe that our ability to draw upon an international track record of delivering complex long-distance services, coupled with Eurostar's reputation for customer excellence, is a unique proposition." | Its UK chief executive Alistair Gordon said: "I believe that our ability to draw upon an international track record of delivering complex long-distance services, coupled with Eurostar's reputation for customer excellence, is a unique proposition." |
| Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: "The East Coast franchise is a vital economic artery and a key route for both business and leisure passengers which represents an exciting opportunity for future growth and investment." | Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: "The East Coast franchise is a vital economic artery and a key route for both business and leisure passengers which represents an exciting opportunity for future growth and investment." |
| The successful bidder is expected to be announced in October 2014, with the service running from February 2015. | The successful bidder is expected to be announced in October 2014, with the service running from February 2015. |
| Announcing the tendering process in March, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said franchising was a "force for good in the story of Britain's railways". | Announcing the tendering process in March, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said franchising was a "force for good in the story of Britain's railways". |
| The line runs from London to Edinburgh via stations including Peterborough, York, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed, with a major branch to Leeds. A few trains continue from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. | The line runs from London to Edinburgh via stations including Peterborough, York, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed, with a major branch to Leeds. A few trains continue from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. |
| The Department for Transport said it expects to issue an invitation to tender in February 2014, after which bidding can formally begin. | The Department for Transport said it expects to issue an invitation to tender in February 2014, after which bidding can formally begin. |