BIDS by transport chiefs to take over the Trans Pennine Express rail franchise are on track.

FirstGroup and French firm Via GTI have joined forces in order to battle against fellow transport operator Arriva.

The prize is the well-used line linking many of the main towns and cities of northern England including Newcastle, Durham, York, Leeds, Huddersfield, Hull, Doncaster, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool.

Promises of greater investment and quicker journey times are being made by both sides in a contest that will be decided by the Strategic Rail Authority.

The industry was surprised at the alliance formed by FirstGroup, one of the UK's largest transport companies, and Via GTI, the biggest bus and urban travel operator in France, as it was expected the two would table separate bids.

But according to the pair, the joint attempt to bag one of the country's most prestigious routes is based on the strength of the individual firms.

FirstGroup, which incorporates the First Manchester bus company operating in the Bolton area, has experience of the UK rail market and already operates franchises. Via GTI will add its knowledge of running railway networks in six countries.

Yet Arriva, which currently runs the route, is also a recognised transport operator and it proposes to invest £1.8 billion in new trains and service levels.

The company promises to chop time off journeys using a fleet of more than 100 faster, quieter, new trains reaching possible speeds of more than 110 miles per hour.

It said the journey time between Manchester and Leeds will be cut from an hour to just 45 minutes. Manchester Airport to York would take 92 minutes, a saving of 16pc while 45 minutes would be shaved off the trip from Newcastle to Liverpool.

A proposal to spend £180 million on improving service facilities with upgraded on-train facilities and better ticket organisation is also on the cards.

Arriva chief executive Bob Davies said: "Our bid is an exciting proposal for the transformation of the existing service to full InterCity status.

"We see our bid as being for the region from the region."

But according to Moir Lockhead, chief executive, of FirstGroup, Arriva have a fight on their hands. He said: "We are developing exciting new plans for Trans Pennine Express and together with Via GTI we aim to provide passengers with a much better service.

"We are looking to upgrade and expand the franchise and I believe this new alliance based on share values, ambitions and complementary skills is the ideal blend." SIDE-BAR A HIGH-profile Bolton-born train buff is urging the transport companies to put pressure on Railtrack to improve the Trans Pennine Express line.

Dr Paul Salveson, who has been pushing for the route to be upgraded to InterCity standard, said the better journey times quoted by Arriva would not be possible without a rehaul of the track's infrastructure.

He commented: "A lot will depend on Railtrack. With the current lines it is not possible to achieve the times that have claimed.

"I hope that the bids that come through will also include plans to extend the route to encompass Preston, Blackburn and Bolton.

"It is good news that there is interest in this route and plans to upgrade it, though."

Dr Salevson, a 47-year-old railways expert now runs his own Huddersfield-based business Transport Research and Information Network (TR&IN).

Speaking in May before the bids were lodged, he said: "If Trans-Pennine is worth making into a separate franchise there must be a major improvement in the quality of trains and in the variety of destinations served by Trans-Pennine Express."