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The new operators of the West Coast rail franchise, including Liverpool to London services, has been named as First West Coast Limited.
Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains lost the franchise to run West Coast mainline trains this month.
First West Coast Limited have been offered a £5.5bn, 13 year contract, which begins in December.
Chris Dale, Chair of the the independent passenger champion TravelWatch North West, said: "It is imperative that no passenger benefits are lost because of the quest for cost savings to meet the high premium payments promised to the government.
"In particular, Railcard holders must continue to keep the fares discounts they now enjoy at peak times and we stress that high priority must be given to retain and improve current facilities on trains - for example luggage space, toilet provision and catering.
"It is also important to retain and improve train service frequencies "
"To be fair First West Coast have promised improvements in these areas and we are encouraged by the commitment to reduce the cost of the shockingly expensive standard anytime fares by 15% in the first 2 years of the franchise. But of course the proof of the pudding!"
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson expressed his sadness at losing the contract, calling it "massively disappointing".
He said: "We have just heard that we have not been chosen by the Department for Transport to run the West Coast franchise from 9 December, when it will be operated instead by FirstGroup.
"This is massively disappointing for all our staff who have delivered major changes to rail in the last 15 years."
