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New rail operator starting work New rail operator starting work
(10 minutes later)
A new train operator has begun running services across Britain.A new train operator has begun running services across Britain.
From Sunday, Arriva CrossCountry takes over the former Virgin Cross Country routes, running from Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall. From Sunday, Arriva CrossCountry takes over the former Virgin Train routes, running from Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall.
The company has also taken over Central Trains which covers the Midlands network from Stansted to Cardiff.The company has also taken over Central Trains which covers the Midlands network from Stansted to Cardiff.
Its contract is expected to last until 2016 with the company promising to make travel easier and simpler with more seats at busy times.Its contract is expected to last until 2016 with the company promising to make travel easier and simpler with more seats at busy times.
Managing director Andy Cooper said: "From day one, our focus and priority will be effective delivery and good performance on our services."Managing director Andy Cooper said: "From day one, our focus and priority will be effective delivery and good performance on our services."
The company has promised various improvements to be introduced within two years.The company has promised various improvements to be introduced within two years.
These include:These include:
  • 35% increase in seats during evening peak times on principal routes
  • 35% increase in seats during evening peak times on principal routes
  • Catering trollies on all routes
  • Catering trollies on all routes
  • Improvements to ticketing and reservation booking
  • Improvements to ticketing and reservation booking
    • The company has also promised nearly 20,000 extra seats through Birmingham every week day and longer trains with more seats and luggage space on the North East-South West route.The company has also promised nearly 20,000 extra seats through Birmingham every week day and longer trains with more seats and luggage space on the North East-South West route.