Passengers have rushed to sign up to the Evening Press campaign to back GNER's bid for the East Coast Main Line.

And the York Tourism Bureau has also thrown its weight behind our drive to win the York-based train operator a chance to run the line past the current 2003 end of its franchise.

Travellers both at York Station and on the trains were keen to put their signatures to the petition calling for a swift decision on the franchise bid, which will lead to faster trains, an improved station and more jobs for the city.

Petition forms are available on the platform at York Station as well Evening Press offices, newsagents and the Maltings pub, Tanner's Moat.

"I think GNER have performed perfectly well," said Geoffrey Oswald, of Warthill, York, who has been travelling on services to London since 1930.

"They deserve the chance to continue offering the service."

This opinion was shared by Alex Drakeley, travelling to Doncaster from York.

"It is about time somebody did something to resolve the stalemate," he told the Evening Press.

"They are an excellent company performing an excellent service."

Tracey Flegg, 24, travelling home to London after a weekend in the city, said: "I don't travel regularly but when I do, GNER staff are as courteous and friendly as you could wish for.

"Long may they continue to run this route - you get treated on these trains in a very different way to those run by Virgin."

After months of stalling by the Government and the Strategic Rail Authority, the decision-making process for the 20-year franchise has now been put on indefinite hold leaving passengers with an uncertain future.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "I sincerely hope that the GNER bid is successful and would happily back the Evening Press campaign.

"The company has always flown the flag for York and has always been extremely co-operative in selling the destination as well as the rail ticket."

She added that any improvements to the Tourist Information Centre at York Station would come with a successful GNER bid.

Updated: 15:29 Thursday, March 08, 2001