In the News – 10th March 2020

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A lot of the newspapers feature an article on calls for the break-up of First Group.

The Times reports that activist investor Coast Capital has demanded that First cut its North American operations from its UK bus and train franchises.

Coast Capital plans to call for shareholders to be able to vote on its plans.

The company, which operates rail franchises such as Great Western and the TransPennine Express, is due to publish a trading update tomorrow.

Network Rail has welcomed the sale of British Steel to Chinese firm Jingye Group, which was confirmed yesterday.

The new owner has pledged to invest £1.2 billion to place the business on a more competitive and sustainable footing.

Network Rail’s chief executive Andrew Haines says he’s delighted the future of the business has been secured.

East West Railway Company opts for a short-term solution of leasing trains for the section of East West Rail between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Bedford as it publishes an official Invitation to Tender in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Months of extensive market analysis and engagement with the industry led East West Railway Company to ask rolling stock companies and manufacturers to provide self-powered units under an interim four-year contract.

Finally and congratulations to South Western’s Railway’s team of paramedics who have won the ‘Customer Service Excellence’ award at this year’s prestigious Rail Business Awards.

The paramedics are station-based and over the last 12 months they’ve helped nearly 400 people. They’ve responded to everything from serious medical incidents, from cardiac arrest to helping unwell customers off trains.

Photo credit: Network Rail

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