Halifax, Sept. 4, 2012, 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — As part of its ongoing modernization, VIA Rail Canada recently sought expressions of interest (EOI) from a number of potential investors to partner with VIA in the development of some four acres of its property in the area surrounding the Halifax train station. Pre-qualified candidates from the EOI… Read the full press release
Category Archives: Trains
Virgin Trains responds to FirstGroup’s proposals for West Coast
2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virgin Trains has responded to FirstGroup’s proposals for improvements on the West Coast Main Line which were outlined to Parliament today, 3 September 2012. Normally, under franchise process, the successful bidder sets out a range of ‘franchise obligations’ – legally binding commitments – but none has been published by FirstGroup or the… Read the full press release
Virgin Trains: Concerns were expressed on West Coast Bid process over three years
2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Despite the Department for Transport(DfT) and Transport Minister, Justine Greening claiming that Virgin only started challenging the process once they had lost the Bid for the West Coast rail franchise, records show this not to be the case, Tony Collins, Chief Executive Officer for Virgin Rail Group said today: “There must be… Read the full press release
Sir Richard Branson letter to Financial Times
2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The following letter from Sir Richard Branson appeared in the Financial Times on 1 September 2012 Dear Sir, Your assertion that Virgin is seeking to re-write the competition rules for the West Coast train franchise (‘No Second Act for Virgin Trains – August 29, 2012) is wrong. On the contrary, we have… Read the full press release
Financial Times story on Saturday 1 September 2012 on West Coast franchise issue
Branson denies contract loss led to concerns By Rose Jacobs and Jim Pickard 2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Sir Richard Branson has denied the assertion that he only raised concerns about the UK rail franchising process after losing the lucrative contract to run the West Coast main line. In a letter to the FT, Sir Richard said… Read the full press release
FirstGroup’s criticism of West Coast Performance
2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tim O’Toole, CEO of FirstGroup, has publicly criticised Virgin Trains’ performance citing the Public Performance Measure (PPM), which measures the number of trains arriving on time, as evidence to support his claims that FirstGroup would operate West Coast better. He has also commented on the number of complaint letters received by the… Read the full press release
Statement re: InterCity West Coast Franchise Award
2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — We understand that Virgin Rail Ltd a subsidiary of Virgin Rail Group, the joint venture between Virgin Group and Stagecoach Group plc, has brought a legal challenge against the Department for Transport in relation to the recent award of the InterCity West Coast rail franchise to FirstGroup. We have every confidence in… Read the full press release
Virgin challenges First Group on West Coast Bid promises
2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virgin Rail Group (VRG) today challenged FirstGroup(FG) CEO Tim O’Toole to ‘come clean’ on his company’s commitments for the West Coast Main Line franchise after a series of contradictory and unclear statements made to City analysts and MPs. In a 10-question challenge, published below, the company asked for clear evidence of… Read the full press release
VIA Rail’s Second Quarter Results Confirm Need for Modernization Plan
Halifax, 2012-08-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the quarterly meeting of its Board of Directors in Halifax, N.S., VIA Rail Canada released its second quarter 2012 results today. The Corporation’s ridership and revenues were lower than in the same period last year, due partially to continued economic uncertainty affecting travel markets. However, as a result of… Read the full press release
Metrolink to offer exclusive Labor Day service
Antelope Valley Line will have two round trips LOS ANGELES, 2012-08-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — Metrolink will suspend service on Monday, Sept. 3, in observance of Labor Day, with the exception of two round-trip trains on the Antelope Valley Line. The special Metrolink service will run between Lancaster and L.A. Union Station, with stops at the Glendale,… Read the full press release
Take Metrolink to the Los Angeles County Fair
Monthly passholders can ride Metrolink free during the weekends; Others can take advantage of the $10 Weekend Pass LOS ANGELES, 2012-08-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — For the 20th consecutive year, Metrolink will offer safe, affordable service directly to the Los Angeles County Fair. On Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of September, Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line trains… Read the full press release
VIA Rail’s Second Quarter Results Confirm Need for Modernization Plan
Halifax, 2012-08-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the quarterly meeting of its Board of Directors in Halifax, N.S., VIA Rail Canada released its second quarter 2012 results today. The Corporation’s ridership and revenues were lower than in the same period last year, due partially to continued economic uncertainty affecting travel markets. However, as a result of stringent… Read the full press release
Virgin Trains Limited commences Court proceedings in respect of West Coast Main Line franchise award
Statement by Virgin Trains Limited, 28 August 2012 2012-08-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — “Virgin Trains Limited (VTL) has today commenced Court proceedings in respect of the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup. We have tried for three weeks to get clarity over the Department for Transport’s decision and to have a… Read the full press release
CTC Allocates $60 Million to Metrolink to Upgrade Locomotives and Cab Cars
Project will enable Metrolink to move more people, lower emissions, reduce delays and support the economy LOS ANGELES, 2012-08-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — At its August 22 meeting, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $60 million in Proposition 1 A bond funds to help pay for much-needed upgrades to Metrolink’s fleet of locomotives and coach cars. This… Read the full press release
78.000 VOYAGEURS EN DIRECTION DE LA CÔTE!
La SNCB a connu un weekend chargé. Avec le beau temps, plus de 78.000 voyageurs ont pris le train en direction de la côte. De plus, beaucoup de festivaliers du Pukkelpop ont regagné leur domicile. 2012-08-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — La SNCB a transporté 78.000 personnes à destination de la côte. C’est la journée de samedi qui… Read the full press release
Concern mounts over transfer of West Coast rail franchise as 100,000 people ask for review
2012-08-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — As more than 100,000 people sign the petition set up by passenger Ross McKillop to force a debate in Parliament on the decision to strip Virgin Trains of the prestigious West Coast rail franchise, celebrities are offering their support. Sir Richard Branson said: ‘In less than a week one hundred thousand of you… Read the full press release
Celebrities back ‘Keep Virgin Trains’ e-petition as it passes 36,000 signature mark
As of 15:15 on August 22 total signatures reaches 50,000 London UK, 2012-08-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — 22 August 2012: High profile celebrities have given their backing to the independently-set up Government-run e-petition to force a debate in Parliament on the decision to strip Virgin Trains of the prestigious West Coast rail franchise. Earlier today the number of… Read the full press release
Expedia Affiliate Network and VIA Rail Canada renew their partnership
London, UK, 2012-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Expedia® Affiliate Network (EAN) today announces its renewed partnership with VIA Rail Canada, Canada’s most important national rail passenger service. The deal will give viarail.ca customers access to EAN’s extensive inventory of hotels, totalling nearly 155,000 worldwide. VIA Rail’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Steve Del Bosco comments, “We value our partnership with… Read the full press release
Statement: from Sir Richard Branson, Founder Virgin Group
2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the DFT’s decision to award the West Coast Mainline franchise to FirstGroup, Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, said: “The Government decision to award the West Coast Main Line Franchise to FirstGroup is extremely disappointing for Virgin, and for our staff that have worked so hard to transform this railway… Read the full press release
DfT announcement for new Intercity West Coast franchise
2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Department for Transport (DfT) has today, Wednesday 15 August, announced that following a bidding competition, Virgin Rail Group will not be operating the new Intercity West Coast franchise which starts on 9 December 2012 and runs through to 31 March 2026. Tony Collins, Chief Executive of Virgin Rail Group, said today:… Read the full press release
Virgin Trains plays its part in 2012 Games success
2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virgin Trains is proud to have played its part in helping Britain deliver a fantastic 2012 Games experience. Chief Operating Officer, Chris Gibb led the Virgin Trains’ planning, supported by Olympic Delivery Manager, Natasha Grice and the company’s Olympic Steering Group. Chris said: “Thanks to the positive efforts and commitment of staff,… Read the full press release
Olympiërs signeren medailles op Thalys
2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Op station Brussel-Zuid hebben de medaillewinnaars van het Olympic Team Netherlands de medailles op Thalys gesigneerd. Zij wonnen in Londen bij elkaar 6 gouden, 6 zilveren en 8 bronzen medailles. Treinreis Olympic Team Netherlands Jan-Willem Siebers, Directievoorzitter NS Hispeed verwelkomde het Olympic Team Netherlands aan boord van Thalys: “Wij zijn er trots… Read the full press release
NS Hispeed brengt Olympic Team Netherlands thuis
2012-08-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — NS Hispeed brengt morgen het Olympic Team Netherlands snel en comfortabel met de hogesnelheidstrein van hartje Londen naar de feestende fans op stationsplein van ’s-Hertogenbosch. Het Olympic Team vertrekt met de 6 gouden-, 6 zilveren- en 8 bronzen medailles om 11.00 uur (UK time) vanuit Londen (St London Pancras Int) met Eurostar… Read the full press release
Amadeus publishes first half results for 2012
Growth record supported by both Distribution and IT Solutions businesses Year-on-year first half highlights (six months ended June 30, 2012) • Global market share of travel agency air bookings expanded by 1.0 percentage point • Passengers Boarded (PB) lifted by 27.0% to 259.0 million • Revenue grew 8.6%2 to €1,508.9 million • EBITDA rose 6.1%… Read the full press release
Hit the slopes this winter with Eurostar
Eurostar’s direct ski services open for sale on Monday 31 July 2012 2012-07-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Eurostar’s popular direct ski services from St Pancras International and Ashford International to the heart of the French Alps, will open for sale at 9am on Monday 31 July 2012. The direct day and night services carry ski and snowboarding… Read the full press release
Liverpool – Are You Normal? DaDaFest and Virgin Trains link up to find out!
(The press release below was issued by Bill Elms Associates on 18 July 2012). 2012-07-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Commuters and tourists passing through Liverpool Lime Street station faced an intriguing question last Thursday afternoon (12 July) when the city’s DaDaFest disability and deaf arts festival challenged them to ask themselves ‘Am I normal?’ The survey took… Read the full press release
INFRABEL ET LA SNCB METTENT EN PLACE UNE NOUVELLE PROCÉDURE DE DÉPART DES TRAINS, PLUS SÛRE
2012-07-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Les conseils d’administration de la SNCB et d’Infrabel ont approuvé la mise en oeuvre, à partir de 2015, d’une nouvelle procédure de départ des trains, plus sûre. Situation actuelle Les procédures actuelles obligent l’accompagnateur du train à fermer toutes les portes des ra-mes dès le coup de sifflet de départ, à l’exception… Read the full press release
Eurostar reports a resilient performance in the first half of 2012
Passenger numbers up 2% to 4.8 million in H1 2012 Sales revenues up 1% to £425 million Growth in passenger numbers and sales revenues driven by leisure traffic 2012-07-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Eurostar, the high speed rail service between the UK and mainland Europe, today reported continuing growth in passenger numbers and a resilient performance in… Read the full press release