Richard Branson promises to operate rail line as not-for-profit if David Cameron will only listen to him
Skift Take
Britain's rail privatization has largely been a failure as prices have gone up and service has gone down. The differences between Virgin and FirstGroup are minor, then, compared to turning the lines back over to the government.
Sir Richard Branson has urged David Cameron to intervene in the row over the west coast rail franchise and "get some sense" into the Department for Transport, as FirstGroup prepares to sign an agreement to take over the running of the London to Glasgow route.
Branson's Virgin Trains business is fighting a desperate rearguard action against the loss of a franchise that it has operated since 1997 and has offered to operate the line for free if ministers defer the handover in order to put FirstGroup's bid under renewed scrutiny.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350"] Virgin Rail at Glasgow Central. Photo by Paul Robertson[/caption]
The Virgin tycoon went on the radio on Monday morning in a last-ditch attempt to delay the planned signing of the contract on Tuesday, after which Aberdeen-based FirstGroup will start operating one of Britain's most prestigious rail services from December.
Speaking on the Today programme on BB
