Such that the Parliament can inspect the shocking decision taken to provide the license to First Group, Sir Richard Branson has stated that he is willing to run Trains for free.
Sir Richard Branson has stated that he is ready to run the West Coast Main Line free of cost, so that the parliament can examine the shocking decision taken to hand over the franchise license to competitor First Group.
The businessman, who asserts that the attempts by his rivals First Group will quite certainly end insolvency, made one last effort to request the government to put off signing the 13 year long deal the next day. Sir Branson went on to say that Virgin Trains and Stagecoach would conduct a combined move on a no-profit basis or for that matter even contribute whatever profit they received to charity thereby giving the Parliament enough time to reconsider their decision. He is also attempting to avail an individual review the decision taken by the Department for Transport regarding the 10 billion pound contract.
His appeal follows the letter sent by Louise Ellman to the Transport Secretary Justin Greening requesting the postponement of the signing of the final deal. Louise Ellman is the Chairman of the Transport Committee of the House of Commons. Over a 100,000 individuals have registered in an online plea opposing the decision. Sir Richard Branson in a opinion piece for Sunday Telegraph, stated that they have to make certain that this critical decision is made only after all the details have been perfectly scrutinised and been understood.
The First Group asserts that they would be able to provide enhanced value to the people who are paying the taxes and also have plans to include more InterCity services, additional seats and reduce the prices of the tickets. A representative of the DfT stated that the bidder who won was determined through a just and recognized process and there have been no causes put forward, to persuade the DfT not to sign the contract.
