GNER chief executive Christoper Garnett will today outline the company's future plans to MPs Hugh Bayley and Lawrie Quinn.

The talks at GNER's Station Rise Headquarters follow the Government's decision not to award the train operator a new 20-year franchise for the East Coast Mainline.

Instead, bidding was deferred for two years, with GNER's franchise extended to 2005.

City of York MP Mr Bayley said: "GNER has been given a two-year extension to their franchise, and I am keen to learn what benefits travellers will get even though the decision on a longer-term franchise has been put off.

"I also want to hear what longer-term plans GNER is making.

"From my constituency point of view, the East Coast Mainline is crucial to economic development decisions on the Yorkshire coast.

Updated: 08:41 Friday, July 27, 2001