FirstGroup is continuing preparations to start services on the West Coast Mainline before Christmas despite a legal challenge by outgoing operator Virgin.
“Our focus is to ensure a smooth transition with continuity for staff and passengers alike and to deliver the many benefits and improvements we are offering without delay or disruption. We continue to prepare for a successful mobilisation on December 9, 2012,” said First in a trading statement for the six months to the end of September.
In August, FirstGroup were awarded the West Coast franchise, but the handover date, which was due to take place in December, has been put under threat by a legal challenge from Virgin.
The company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, has described FirstGroup’s bid as “undeliverable”.
First added: “We have every confidence in the DfT’s process which is rigorous, detailed and fair and in which bids are thoroughly tested.”
The trading report also indicated that FirstGroup’s like-for-like passenger revenue is expected to increase by 8.1 per cent in the first half of this year.
Chief executive Tim O’Toole said: “We have leading positions in a sector that is a key enabler of economic growth and we are confident that the actions we are taking will strengthen the business for the future. Therefore, reflecting its longer term view, the board remains committed to its current policy of dividend growth of 7.0 per cent through to the end of the financial year 2012/13.”
