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Great Western Coffee Shop > All across the Great Western territory > The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom > West Coast fight ahead for Virgin
Poll
Question: Who do YOU think should be awarded the WCML▸ (West Coast Main Line) franchise?  (Voting closed: May 24, 2011, 07:42:57)
Virgin Group/Stagecoach Group - 9 (31%)
NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen - 4 (13.8%)
SNCF▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways)/Keolis SA - 2 (6.9%)
First Group - 8 (27.6%)
None of the above! - 3 (10.3%)
Don't know/don't care - 3 (10.3%)
Total Voters: 28

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Author Topic: West Coast fight ahead for Virgin  (Read 7669 times)
woody
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« on: March 24, 2011, 21:47:07 »
First Group shortlisted for West Coast main line franchise.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1415279_west-coast-fight-ahead-for-virgin
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JayMac
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« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2011, 21:59:12 »
Feel free to comment on why your particular choice should win the right to run WCML▸ (West Coast Main Line) services from April 2012.
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Timmer
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« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2011, 22:11:10 »
I'm going to stick my neck out on this one and say Virgin Rail will retain this franchise.
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Electric train
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« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2011, 22:23:07 »
I vote NV because they use a nice shade of yellow for their livery  Grin
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JayMac
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« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2011, 22:26:23 »
And I voted for them because they have a 'double arrow' logo like BR▸ (British Rail(ways)) had. I think that'll look quite nice on the side of a Bendyleano.  Grin
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eightf48544
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« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2011, 22:30:58 »
Can we have a "none of the above" vote?

Run by BR▸ (British Rail(ways)) with a sensible fare structure as an alternative.

Although I tend to agree with Timmer and go with Virgin.

It would be a real kick in the teeth for Virgin if they were to lose the franchise after having having kept it running throughout the shambles of WCML▸ (West Coast Main Line) upgrade the post Hatfield speed restrictions plus introducing the Pendelinos (OK I know the financing of them is complicated). So that there is now a 20 minute interval timetable to Manchester and Birmingham. Plus they lost XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) previously.

The lawyers would be laughing all the way to bank.

 
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JayMac
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« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2011, 22:32:08 »
Good call eightf. The poll is only a bit of fun so I'll add a 'none of the above' option. Cheesy
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Rhydgaled
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« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2011, 23:46:34 »
None of the above for me - bring back British Rail please Mr spending cuts.
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Don't DOO▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) it, keep the guard (but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the driver unlocked the doors on arrival at calling points).
TerminalJunkie
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« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2011, 05:40:00 »
Could you add a 'Don't Know/Don't Care' option as well, please?
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JayMac
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« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2011, 06:42:26 »
 Roll Eyes Okay.
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anthony215
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« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2011, 09:06:54 »
I am certainly glad Veolia/transdev were not  shortlisted as they cant seem to run their bus operations properly at the moment.

Although they may be disapointed with this, they will probably bid for the other franchises once they come up.
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tramway
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« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2011, 10:50:24 »
Glad it's not just me who would like to see baguettes in the Pendo buffets.  Grin
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Tim
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« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2011, 11:54:43 »
i voted for NV for the simple reason that the Dutch are cool
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Chris2
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« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2011, 12:44:36 »
Does it really matter who gets the franchise if the Department for Transport micromanage the franchise like at the start of the First Greater Western franchise.
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vacman
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« Reply #14 on: March 25, 2011, 16:50:38 »
First group! only reason being that i'll get free travel on WC▸ (Wiltshire Council (Unitary Authority), was Wiltshire County Council until March 2009) then!
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