Cheap train tickets online, train times and train timetables in Scotland - ScotRail. First TransPennine Express. First TransPennine Express[1] is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup (55%) and Keolis (45%) operating the TransPennine Express franchise.[2] First TransPennine Express runs regular passenger services between the major cities in Northern England as well as to the Central Belt of Scotland.
The franchise operates a hub model radiating from Manchester and covering three main routes. The service provides rail links for major cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Hull, Leeds, York, Scarborough and Newcastle. Previously, all services used to call or terminate at Manchester Piccadilly,[3] however, as of May 2014, a new service running between between Newcastle Central and Liverpool Lime Street, calling at Manchester Victoria was announced, and launched as part of the Northern Hub plan.[4] First TransPennine Express is one of the few UK train operating companies running 24 hours a day, including through New Year's Eve night. Background[edit] Previous logo. First ScotRail. This article is about the Scottish rail network operated by FirstGroup since 2004. For the story of Scotland's railway network since creation of the ScotRail name, see ScotRail. First ScotRail[1] is the main train operating company in Scotland.
It is owned by First who have operated the franchise since 17 October 2004. It operates most commuter and long-distance services within the country as well as some cross-border services to England, including the Caledonian Sleeper. Out of all of FirstGroup's train companies, ScotRail is the largest. History[edit] First ScotRail logo (2004-2008) In July 2003 the Scottish Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority announced Arriva, First and National Express had been shortlisted to bid for the new franchise.[2] On 1 January 2006 Transport Scotland was created to carry out the Scottish Executive's transport responsibilities including its then newly devolved powers over rail franchising.[5] Network[edit] Main lines[edit] The main lines of Scotland are: Note:
First Great Western. First Great Western[2] is a major British train operating company owned by FirstGroup. It provides the majority of commuter and outer-suburban services from its Central London terminus at London Paddington to West London, Berkshire and Oxfordshire as well as long distance inter-city services along the Great Western Main Line to South West England and South Wales. It also provides regional services throughout the South West of England and to the south coast of England. First Great Western's head office is in Swindon in Wiltshire,[3] while its customer service operations are based in Plymouth in Devon.[4] All regular services serving London are operated to and from London Paddington station.
On 1 April 2006, First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains were combined into the new Greater Western franchise. Evolution of the franchise[edit] First Great Western (1998–2006)[edit] First Great Western Link (2004–2006)[edit] Wessex Trains (2001–2006)[edit] Future franchise[edit] FirstGroup. FirstGroup[2] is a British transport group, registered and operating in the United Kingdom. The company also operate transport services in Ireland, Denmark, Canada and the United States. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.[3] History[edit] FirstGroup originated from the deregulation of bus services in the United Kingdom, whereby private companies purchased nationalised and municipal bus operators. In September 1986 the Somerset based services of the Bristol Omnibus Company that were rebranded in 1985 as Badgerline were purchased by a management buyout.
In January 1989 Grampian Regional Transport, the Aberdeen City Council owned bus operator, was purchased in a management buyout led by its then general manager Moir Lockhead.[4] As GRT Bus Group, it expanded through acquisition purchasing six former nationalised bus companies in England and Scotland. In May 2007 FirstGroup purchased some bus services in the Rhine-Neckar region of Germany.