Discussions are under way with FirstGroup regarding a franchise extension for Great Western Railway, Rail Minister Andrew Jones said in a Commons Written Reply on July 22.
Responding to a question from George Eustice (Conservative, Camborne and Redruth), Jones said: “The current Great Western franchise agreement expires at 0159 on April 1 2020, having been extended to the fullest extent possible under its terms.
“In November 2017 the Secretary of State announced his intention to negotiate a new franchise agreement with the incumbent operator, and discussions with FirstGroup are already under way.”
AndrewJG8918 - 28/07/2019 00:18
Perhaps Greater Western franchise could be the new name for the train operator and not split the franchise in half. With Class 800 and Class 802 that came into service last year and the previous year.