On 13th December 2005 THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT announced that First Group, having beaten off competition from the National Express Group and Stagecoach Group, had been awarded the contracts to run the Greater Western franchise from 01 April 2006.

The Greater Western franchise brings together the former First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains franchises into one.

The franchise will provide over £200m investment in the early years of the franchise. This will include a complete redesign of the high speed fleet that together with the new timetable will increase the number of standard class seats on trains between London and Reading in the morning and evening peak periods by more than 20% and 30% respectively.

It will also fund a programme of station enhancements, including better customer information systems, passenger security measures including CCTV and 1700 new car parking spaces at stations. Additional revenue protection staff and community support officers will also be provided.

First Group has stated that it expects to improve performance and reliability so that 9 out of 10 trains run on time by 2011/12.

For the Greater Western Franchise, First Group has undertaken to pay DfT a premium of £1,131m over 10 years. The franchise contract is for ten years with the final three years dependent on service performance achieving preset targets.