THE new operator of the East Coast main line train franchise has confirmed it will keep its headquarters in York.
That is very welcome news. Every time a new operator wins the franchise, there is always a worry that the city could lose its rail HQ - and with it, hundreds of jobs and more than a century of tradition.
Not only has Virgin Trains East Coast - a consortium of Stagecoach and Virgin - pledged to keep its offices here, however, it has also confirmed it will open a new rail academy, with one of the bases in York.
The East Coast franchise - which operates trains between London and Edinburgh through York - has been in public hands since 2009, when National Express East Coast pulled out, saying it could not afford the premiums.
When Virgin and Stagecoach were awarded the franchise last month, they immediately pledged £140 million of investment - but were silent on where their headquarters would be.
Worries about the future of York’s rail HQ have now thankfully been allayed. The challenge for Stagecoach and Virgin now is to show they can run trains on the East Coast as efficiently as the public sector.
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