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The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) today welcomed the announcement of the preferred bidders for the first round of franchise replacements, describing passengers as the real winners from the announcement.
ATOC Director General, George Muir, said: "At the beginning of the franchise replacement programme, the Strategic Rail Authority said it wanted serious investment combined with innovative ideas which would ultimately lead to one thing - a better rail service for passengers. It must have been a very hard decision for the SRA to narrow the bidders down from three to two for the proposed routes.
"No matter which company is finally chosen for the franchise replacement, passengers will undoubtedly be the winners with more services, new trains and faster journey times."
