 First Great Western services will be part of the new franchise |
A new company has been formed to bid for the franchise to run train services in the west of England. The Greater Western Franchise will provide rail services between the West, South Wales, the Thames Valley and London.
Leaders of the newly-formed London and Western Company are hoping they will be awarded the franchise by the Strategic Rail Authority in 2006.
London & Western is made up of intercity operator GNER and Laing Rail, a parent company of regional operator Chiltern Railways.
Consultation
The Greater Western Franchise will be created in three years as an amalgamation of the services currently operated by First Great Western, Thames Trains and Wessex Trains.
Adrian Shooter, chairman of Chiltern Railways, said: "Chiltern Railways and GNER are two 'best in class' operators.
"The experience we have accumulated in running our existing franchises... means that we have a great deal to offer the Great Western network."
Representatives of the new company are visiting Bristol on Wednesday to consult with passenger groups and government bodies.
Similar consultation sessions will also take place in Cardiff, Exeter and Cornwall.
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