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The running of the West Coast Mainline will be taken over by a joint venture between First Group and Trenitalia UK, the Department for Transport has announced today.
The new consortium will take over the running of the rail route that connects Lancashire to London and Scotland in December – replacing Virgin Trains, which has operated the line since 1997.
First Trenitalia says it will provide passengers with new trains, more seats, simplified fares and more frequent services.
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