Kevin Brennan, has slammed the UK Government over their handling of the Great Western Rail franchise after they awarded an extension to the FirstGroup without an open competition for the contract.
Mr Brennan believes the Government has already cost the taxpayer a significant amount of money over their mishandling of the West Coast mainline and now fears they have made an equally big error with the Great Western franchise.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the Cardiff West MP, asked the UK Government to explain why they had decided to scrap the competition for the franchise:
"Why has there been no statement, either oral or written, about the decision—announced in the media this morning—to scrap the competition for the First Great Western rail franchise?
"If no Minister will come and explain that decision to the House, will the Leader of the House contact the Department for Transport after business questions and ensure that every Member who is affected by it—including my hon. Friends the Members for Caerphilly (Wayne David) and for Newport West (Paul Flynn), who are in the Chamber now—receives a letter today containing details of the reasons for a decision that affects our constituents very deeply?"
The Great Western route operates between Cardiff and London and is well used by a number of people in Mr Brennan's own constituents.
The current Great Western franchise will now run until October after the UK Government decided to extend the current contract with FirstGroup by 28 weeks.
They will now enter talks for an additional two-year contract with longer-term proposals to be set out in the spring.
Friday, February 01, 2013
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