PASSENGERS are being told they will get more seats and better service following the decision not to allow Virgin Trains to keep running the Cross Country rail network.

The government on Tuesday delivered a bombshell to Sir Richard Branson's rail company by awarding the contract to the Arriva Group.

Arriva will receive a £1.05bn subsidy over the life of the franchise, which runs from November 11 this year until April 2016. But some unregulated fares, such as off-peak tickets, could rise by up to 50 per cent during the life of the franchise.

The franchise will include a Bournemouth-to-Manchester service, as well as other services currently run by Virgin and some run by Central Trains.

The government had already decided that trains from Bournemouth to the North East and Scotland would no longer be required.

The Department for Transport has said the new deal would provide an extra 40 carriages, offering 3,000 more seats a day on the busiest parts of the Cross Country network.

Overcrowding on peak-time services had been one of the top sources of customer complaints.

Other improvements announced by the government include:

  • A new web-based ticketing system from December 2009, allowing customers to reserve their seats up to 10 minutes before the train leaves and print off a ticket at home. Customers will also be able to display tickets on mobile phones.
  • Extra help for passengers who need to change trains, especially Birmingham New Street - potentially a consolation to Dorset passengers losing their direct trains to the North East and Scotland.
  • Up to 25 per cent more luggage space.
  • Catering provided to customers at their seats.
  • Wi-fi access, free in first class.
  • More accessible staff on trains.

Rail minister Tom Harris said: "We have secured an excellent deal with Arriva. Not only are they delivering an even bigger increase in capacity than we asked for, they are doing it a year earlier than expected."

Consumer watchdog Passenger Focus welcomed the news. But visitors to the Echo's website were mainly unimpressed.

One said: "Can someone explain to me why these train companies are given a huge subsidy to run a business that will make them a large profit?"

Nite Owl of Ferndown said: "What happened to privatisation? £1.05bn is not privatisation, it is tax-paid industry. As far as I'm concerned they should sink or swim on the profits or losses it makes."

A Moordown reader said: "It's a total waste of taxpayers' money as all the rail companies are the same - useless."

Nick of Canford Heath said: "Perhaps if Virgin had employed trains of sufficient capacity and frequency then they might have kept the franchise.

"The cross country trains 20 to 25 years ago had more carriages, more destinations than now and the prices weren't so sky high.

"The train companies should be looking into restarting motorail and sleeper services countrywide, as well as more frequency and a sensible price structure."

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