LONDON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Wednesday that a consortium part owned by Italy's state rail is to take over the running of Britain's West Coast Main Line.
The line, one of the busiest and most important in Britain, links London's Euston Station with Glasgow, serving major cities Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool as well as North Wales.
Trenitalia, Italy's primary train operator, and Aberdeen-based First Group will jointly take over the key route from current operators Virgin Trains from December this year, with a franchise that will run until 2031.
In its announcement, the Department for Transport (DfT) said passengers will see more seats and 263 extra services every week, train station upgrades and a 61-percent reduction to fleet CO2 emissions through brand-new, modern trains. There will also be a simplified fares structure and more frequent services.
Shapps and Keith Williams, chair of a major review into Britain's rail system, heralded the new partnership as vital to deliver the swift introduction of significant benefits for passengers.
The DfT said the partnership reflects a significant move away from a previous flawed franchising system to avoid a repeat of issues that affected the East Coast Main Line, the sister line that links London and Edinburgh.
"This award is positive news for passengers, with more services, more direct connections and ambitious plans for a cleaner, greener railway, and also represents a decisive shift towards a new model for rail," Shapps said.
He said Williams had been asked to produce a review paper with "fearless proposals that will deliver a railway system fit for the 21st century."
According to Williams, the railway needs reform that prioritises the customers and communities it serves, with an absolute focus on delivering benefits for passengers. "I have also been clear that my review must not stop or delay investment and innovation."
The DfT said the First Trenitalia consortium will oversee the introduction of new environmentally-friendly trains, entirely replacing the diesel-only fleet and reducing CO2 emissions by 61 percent. It will also invest 117 million pounds in a major refurbishment of the current Pendolino fleet, of trains used on West Coast line routes.
The statement added that First Trenitalia will also act as the Shadow Operator responsible for Britain's ambitious high speed rail, HS2, the multi-billion dollar rail being built partly to ease congestion on the busy West Coast Line.
HS2, Britain's biggest ever rail project, is aimed at creating a high speed network between London, Birmingham and major cities in northern England.
"The government will shortly launch a review into HS2," said the DfT in its statement on Wednesday.
HS2 has faced opposition and complaints about its escalating cost, currently more than 50 billion pounds. (one pound currently equals to 1.21 U.S. dollars)
