http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19944782
Quote:
Virgin Trains will be asked to continue to run services on the West Coast Mainline for at least another nine months after the latest decision on the route franchise was scrapped.
The Department for Transport says it will enter into negotiations with Virgin for the "temporary" contract.
A competition will then be run for a new franchise agreement.
The decision to give FirstGroup the route from December was withdrawn over "technical flaws" in the bid process.
In an announcement to the London Stock Exchange, the DfT said it hoped Virgin would remain as the West Coast Mainline operator for between nine and 13 months while a competition was run for an interim franchise agreement.
This interim agreement will then run until a new long-term franchise agreement is in place.
"The government believes that this is the best way to ensure services are maintained and that there is no impact on passengers," it added.
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Temporary relief for passengers and that nice Mr Branson .....
