Save Virgin Rail e-petition backs Richard Branson

Richard Branson has won backing from an army of supporters including many in Liverpool after he went on the offensive to demand a rethink on the move end his grip on West Cost Rail.

Thousands of travellers have backed an online petition calling on the Government to review the decision the award the franchise to FirstGroup.

More than 18,000 people have signed a Government e-petition, started by Ross McKillop, calling for the rethink and saying Virgin has "delivered a reliable service for 15 years".

FirstGroup claims it will bring-in key improvements for passengers using the line that carries more than 31m passengers a year.

If more than 100,000 signatures are received, MPs may decide to debate the issue in Parliament - a potential source of embarrassment for the Government.

FirstGroup, the UK's largest rail operator, is set to take over the franchise from 9th December with a licence to operate the service until 2026.

The firm said it would introduce 11 new 125mph six-car electric trains on the Birmingham-to-Glasgow route and provide more direct services between destinations.

But thousands have backed the pro-Virgin petition and Richard Branson had been furiously Tweeting in a bid to win more signatures.

His tweets won the backing of a number of celebrities including QPR striker Joey Barton and Rangers' manager Ali McCoist.

The Government e-Petition says: "The West Coast Mainline's current value is thanks to millions of pounds of investment and commitment from Virgin Trains - they're not perfect, none are - but they have delivered a reliable service for 15 years and turned the line around."

The signatories call for the government to "seek public opinion in these franchise bids".

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has urged people to back the campaign, but added it had been set up independently of Virgin by a member of the public.

Writing on the Virgin Rail web site Richard Branson said: "The final decision has not been signed off and we want as much support as possible to force the government to reassess this ill-judged decision.

"It is not all over in the battle to make the Government see sense and reconsider the decision to award the West Coast Mainline franchise to FirstGroup.

"An e-petition, set up completely independent of Virgin by a member of the public, is calling for the government to reconsider the decision.

"We urge you to sign the e-petition and let the Government know how passionately we all feel about keeping the West Coast Mainline as a Virgin Trains franchise.

"The final decision has not been signed off and we want as much support as possible to force the Government to reassess this ill-judged decision.

"August 28th is the provisional date for the signing of the contract for the next franchise, so do sign the e-petition as soon as possible.

"The public reaction has been one of strong support for our wonderful Virgin Trains staff, and dismay and anger at the decision!"

"Virgin Trains are great. Their trains are clean unlike First Group whose trains are dirty. Virgin should be given the West Coast Permanently" Ian J. Fincher, London around 2 months, 2 weeks ago

"I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HST IN VIRGIN COLORS! SAVE VIRGIN! " MrJ Carson-Brown, Bewdley around 8 months, 4 weeks ago

"The Virgin Trains I use have been on time, clean, comfortable with pleasant staff. Some First trains are dirty and smell stale. KEEP VIRGIN" Dee Gallagher, Blackpool around 9 months, 2 weeks ago

"usrd virgin in july also west coast line. virgin far better, we had seats for journey.clean and fast to london." vera ward, shrewsbury around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Seems a daft idea to me, if it ain't broke don't try to fix it!" B Parker, Chorley around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Since Reliable Virgin plan to further enhance the good service they already provide - LEAVE WELL ALONE! We are not used to chaos! SO why?" V Davis, London around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"if FirstGroup fails to live up to there contract then all the people minister etc should have to foot the cost and loose there jobs " Stephen Martin, essex around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Believing Ms Greening??? Road lover, Doctor Beeching! Conservatives smelling? VIRGIN TRAINS need supporting!!!" John Nunn, Aylesbury around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"First Group ruined the 125 trains along the old GW routes by cramming more seats in and removing most of the tables. Take note!" richard henson, hereford around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Virgin have a proven exellent service to the rail travellers,why change it? why is the goverment not listening to the rail travellers?" George McOmish, tayside around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"My main concern with this decision,is who profits if the new franchise fails. I doubt very much if it will be the general public. " Micheal Adams, Daventry around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"richard branson is what this government hates independant self made millonare there is no comparision to richard bransons trains " colin evans , cheshire around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"I travelled Euston/Penrith on Virgin last September & found the service excellent & value for money. I hope Virgin retain the franchise." Carole, Norfolk around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Cant believe that you can make such bad terrible judgment to get rid of Virgin trains,shame on you what disgrace. " J. Henry, Kent around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"I have traveled on Virgin trains where ever they run in Britain. They treat us travelers with respect and know what we want and deliver it. " Christine Gallacher, Poole Dorset around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"VIRGIN TRAINS has given a good sevice while FIRST are crap as we have seen them in the past we had ANGLIA here and they were shit. " colin flowerday, holt norfolk around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Why are we bankrupting companies in these times of hardship and recession. Passengers are happy with the service Virgin gives. Leave them al" ursula, Lancashire around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"if its not broke dont fix it " Paul Brown , Bury around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"I AM REALLY IMPRESSED WITH MANCHESTER TO EUSTON VIRGIN TRAINS WHICH RUN EVERY TWENTY MINUTES I NEVER USE MY CAR NOW A GREAT SERVICE" Anne groome, manchester around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"I regularly travel by Virgin Trains. They are always punctual with friendly and helpful staff. Why change a brilliant service." Monika Manser, London around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"I ahd the pleasure back in March of travelling on Virgin rail to Holyhead-a truly lovely relaxing experience-clean,helpful staff at Euston " eileen bright, west sussex around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Firstgroup,my wife and I traveled on their train into Liverpool last week and their coaches were filthy,some standard to look forward too!" Roy Fowler, Widnes Cheshire around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"I think the government is wrong to deprive virgin trains or the franchis to run trains and give to another company which offers more money." Mr S M Beck, Milton Keynes around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Glasgow to London service second to none, Please leave it alone" j.clare, wigan around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"If it aint broke dont fix it." Ivan Gleave, Wigan around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Virgiin Trains - clean, comfortable & effcient. No reason to award the contract elsewhere. Liverpool needs this excellent link to London." Jacqui Irving, Birkenhead around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Used for the first time Virgin trains from Euston to Liverpool can,t fault the service,trains were,fast,clean, and staff ace, prices fair. " Stephen, hampshire around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"It is a very good service, why change something that has been working well, when so many other rail services have not worked." Mrs C Barnes, Wirral around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"The FirstGroup Bid is not commercial viable over the 13year period. Branson as done a great job on this line and it needs to continue. " M.Poultney, Derby around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"As a regular user please please keep virgin on west coast as it is soooo reliable" Isobel Thomson, paisley around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Richard Branson is the best man for the job." Jean Wilson, Lymington around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"If it ain't broke don't fix it." Jean St Clare, Rothesay,Isle of Bute around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"KEEP VIRGIN Other lines only appear more profitable by packing in more passenger seats far too close together like cattle DONT BE FOOLED!" Rory Wilson, Hemel Hempstead around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Keep West Coast VIRGIN Trains. Why fix what isn't broke.Excellent Service,prompt and clean,and friendly staff. " kit, prestatyn around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Virgin rail has always served our area well.Our line is perfectly adequate for all ourneeds and the Boss of Virgin Rail is British.KEEP IT." Gerry Sturt, Kendal Cumbria around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"It's not broken why replace it ???????" Sharron Illing, Devon around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Virgin is A very good service why destroy it for other untested rival just for money" Eric satterthwaite, Cumbria around 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Leave Richard well alone, when a service is doing well why spoil it. don't be so STUPID mr Cameron listen to your people just once PLEASE." Miss Ellis Barrington Denning, Crewe, Cheshire. around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"Very happy with Virgin - but Virgin must promoised to deliver the same or better service" Lea McGee, Chester around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"If it aint broke, don't fix it just to pander to Goverment greed yet again." Stephanie Hilton, Wallasey around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"If Virgin didnt offer the amount offered by Frist Group then it cannot be realistic.Branson may be the only honest business mogul we have" Carol, Hale around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"How dare the government do this to the public, replacing reliable Virgin Trains with a Micky Mouse company who will not fulfill its promise" Dian Reilly, Macclesfield around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"Save virgin trains" Maciol, London around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"if not broken don't change" askew, orpington kent around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"Lets get this petition signed http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/37180" A Thomas, Liverpool around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"disgusted that you have done most of the hard work got a good service for newbys to come & make a mess of it DISGUSTED" Rose Tommons, Cheshire around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"This government is bonkers - surely as part of the bid it should have been about experience & delivery it beggars belief....... fingers x'd " Oliver, Twist around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"Absolutely no problem with Virgin Trains The are doing a good job and they are BRITISH Keep Virgin Trains Never had a problem with Virgin " JEwart, Dumfries & Galloway around 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"Please dont change what isnt broke. I now get an extra hour in bed, I can confidently remove contigency from my timetable as VR meet their's" Foz, Warrington around 10 months ago

"We use Virgin trains to go to Euston London and a great service give the contract to Richard" Mr & Mrs Rose, Wolverhampton around 10 months ago

"15 years of improvement cannot be ignored. Experience of the East Coast Line franchise failures must surely emphasise the need for caution." BILL HALHEAD, LANCASTER around 10 months ago

"what a disgrace a good service run by a good guy,why change, do we really know the true reasons? I THINK NOT." doreen mowatt, lancashire around 10 months ago

"Why change keep it British. Virgin is efficient and always clean and on time. Able to work as traveling with WIFI." Maull, Warwick around 10 months ago

"Great service, its a scandle that the route has been lost" Rosana Williams-Wood, Coventry around 10 months ago

"always clean trains, helpful staff and good service.Even found my briefcase and phoned the train to hand in to Stockport station. " robert list, staffs around 10 months ago

"Virgin staff have always been excellent. Do not want them to lose this frachise" E. Speirs, Bedfordshire around 10 months ago

"First Bus can't provide a 30min local bus journey satisfactory. Old buses constantly used. What chance have they got with this main line?" Liz, Manchester around 10 months ago

"travel a lot on virgin brilliant last time train late due to signal problems staff sorted out a taxi waiting at mcr as missed conection home" terry branton, glossop around 10 months ago

"Ms Greening + Mr Cameron must not allow First to take this franchise. First cannot run the bus serice in my city, First Scotrail is a joke." C.Hutchison, Glasgow around 10 months ago

"The improvements you have made over the last few years have been spot on. Comfortable clean trains.Always on time.Why take that away" Julia Smith, Wilmslow around 10 months ago

"It has been tested and proved that Virgin Trains can be TRUSTED to offer an excellent service + outstanding customer care. KEEP VIRGIN svp." K Coyle, West Midlands around 10 months ago

"why change what we know is good, IT'S BRITISH, it works, give the guy a break" pja, long buckby around 10 months ago

"Virgin trains are fabulous, always on time, clean, staff are helpful and extremely efficient. The prices are wonderful. Please keep L/p virg" Gillian shennan, Wirral around 10 months ago

"If the higher returns are unrealistic, then that is bribery. If Virgin is the most realistic quote, then that is chosen, COMMON SENSE!" Frazer J Hawkes, London around 10 months ago