East Coast rail back in private hands, The East Coast rail route between London and Scotland has returned to private hands after more than five years in the public sector.
Services on the line have been operated by a Department for Transport (DfT) controlled company since November 2009.
From Sunday they are being run jointly by Virgin and Stagecoach, under the name Virgin Trains East Coast.
The DfT said the new franchise would mean "the best deal for passengers", but Labour criticised the move.
When franchise holder National Express pulled out in November 2009, the then-Labour government took over the running of the line.
But the current coalition government had always intended to return it to the private sector....Read More
Services on the line have been operated by a Department for Transport (DfT) controlled company since November 2009.
From Sunday they are being run jointly by Virgin and Stagecoach, under the name Virgin Trains East Coast.
The DfT said the new franchise would mean "the best deal for passengers", but Labour criticised the move.
When franchise holder National Express pulled out in November 2009, the then-Labour government took over the running of the line.
But the current coalition government had always intended to return it to the private sector....Read More
