By PAUL ROGERSON STAGECOACH has won the new East Midlands rail franchise, beating off competition from National Express, Arriva and Scots rival First Group.

A further new rail franchise was awarded yesterday with the promise of improved train services between London and the East Midlands and the north of England.

By Nic Fildes Stagecoach has won the contract to run the East Midlands rail franchise as the Department for Transport continues its overhaul of the network to improve train services between cities in the region and destinations such as London and Liverpool.

By Jon Griffin TRANSPORT group National Express, which owns Travel West Midlands, Central Trains and the Midland Metro, is on the acquisition trail, it emerged today.

By Nick Whitten The Government has announced the four firms it has shortlisted to run the East Coast Main Line rail link for the North East with London and Scotland. Industrial Reporter, Nick Whitten, looks at the four It is one of the UK's busiest long distance rail routes.