FirstGroup welcomes today's announcement by the Department for Transport of its future investment plans for the rail network, as set out in the High Level Output Specification (HLOS) for 2014-2019.
Vernon Barker, Managing Director of First's UK Rail division said:
"Today's announcement is excellent news for the rail network and for passengers up and down the country.
"This is an unprecedented level of investment in the rail network and will do much to increase capacity and reliability. From electrification of the Great Western main line to the Northern Hub, these upgrades will benefit the whole country and make rail an even more attractive way to travel.
"As the UK's largest rail operator, FirstGroup looks forward to working closely with Network Rail to deliver these improvements as quickly and efficiently as possible."
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For information
- FirstGroup is the UK's largest rail operator, carrying more than 300 million passengers a year and operating almost a quarter of the UK rail market. The Group has a diversified portfolio of long distance, regional and commuter rail companies, consisting of four franchises - First Capital Connect, First Great Western, First ScotRail and First TransPennine Express - and one open access operator, First Hull Trains.
- FirstGroup has pre-qualified for all four rail franchises currently out to tender: InterCity West Coast, Great Western, Thameslink and Essex Thameside.