Great Western Coffee Shop

Heard on my grapevine that Virgin have been given an extension to their WCML operation until 2020 but don't know what month in 2020, Any one else know anything.

Wouldn’t surprise me. That’s all Dft do these days is just extend the current incumbent’s franchise because of this review, that review or some enquiry and on it goes, just ask First Group. Dft know very few will kick up a fuss because so few want to even bid for a new franchise because the system is practically broke.

A contrasting suggestion with regard to the / a new direct award for a further period for GWR, which I understands needs to be announced in parliament at some point, but in who's time line there is no time for any transport issues at present. Apparently, much of the parliament time is being spent looking forward to what happens from the end of March next year, and other stuff (like 2020 to 2022 or 2024) is said to have temporarily disappeared forward off the immediate / urgent agenda.  I really should be posting this in "rumour mill" ... source is one that rarely smokes without fire - just a bit difficult to identify/confirm what the fire is!

March 2020

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2018-12-24/virgin-trains-granted-contract-extension-on-west-coast-mainline/

From the user's point of view, that's no bad thing. VT are not perfect, but it ain't broke...