Letter: First have to get it right

2:19pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Opinion

AS a regular passenger on Virgin Trains, I was a little saddened to see the West Coast Main Line franchise go to FirstGroup, if only because the fancy red livery has felt part of the infrastructure for so long.

However, First have already pledged faster new trains for the regions, more seats and more frequent services on other lines.

While knee-jerk fears over job losses and higher fares is predictable – only time will tell – at the end of the day, the passenger merely wants to get from A to B in the cheapest yet most comfortable and convenient method.

Like Premier League football fans, they probably couldn’t care less who owns the business as long as results are delivered.

It’s only when results go against them that they start calling for heads to roll.

Let’s hope First have done their homework.

Traveller, East Lancs.

Comments(1)

Darwen Malc says...
12:11am Sun 19 Aug 12

Customer stisfaction surveys repeatedly show that Virgin has the upper hand. First group, on the other hand has a mixed response. Take 'First Great Western' - to increase capacity, they have shortened the legroom betweeen seats on some of their stock to get more seating in the carriages (aircraft style legroom). Who wants that? Virgin on the other hand are lengthening their Pendolinos by adding two extra carriages. Virgin group have made great strides over the years to get WCML services to the standard that they are at now. Yes, sometimes there's overcrowding (especially on Friday evenings from Euston) but isnt that a testament as to how successful they are? Lets not also forget that Virgin lost the Cross Country franchise to Arriva, and all their Voyagers had the catering/shop removed to provide extra seating and provided a 'trolley' buffet service in its place (Cold food/snacks only, hot & cold drinks). They run from Scotland to the South West - what if you fancied a bacon bap, or a burger - no chance.
Virgin are brilliant, they set the standard. Methinks that by getting shut of Virgin they can downgrade the standard that they compare other franchisees to, and so the downward spiral continues! If it carries on like this, we'll be going from Manchester to London on a class 142 Pacer (bring your own refreshments)! RIP Virgin Trains, you'll be sadly missed.

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