THE York-headquartered East Coast mainline will be revolutionised after a five-year spell under public ownership, according to Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson.

Inter City Railways, a venture between Stagecoach and Virgin, began operating the franchise this week and bosses have promised quicker journeys and direct links to London.

However, the move has fuelled fears passengers will suffer from increased fares, with the RMT union branding the changes industrial vandalism.

In response Sir Richard has said any differences will be beneficial for travellers, refuting a ticket price hike and confirming the operator will create more customer service posts.

Speaking at an event in Newcastle, he said bosses will use Virgin and Stagecoach’s experience of operating the West Coast Main Line as a template for the East Coast.

He said: “Compare it to the West Coast. When we took that over, it was run-down and fairly dilapidated and sad, and staff were demoralised.

“But we invested in rolling stock, transformed it, and have doubled the number of people using it. We will try to make it sing.”

From May 2019, officials hope to deliver faster journeys between Newcastle and London, and a third train per hour between London and Newcastle.

The following year, they say it will start a two hourly non-stop Newcastle to London service.