Train operator Wagn yesterday lost its franchise to run a stopping service on the East Coast Main Line after running trains between Peterborough and London for five years.
As of April 1, 2006, it will be taken over by FirstGroup, which also runs T
hameslink services to London on the West Coast Main Line on the other side of the country.
Although FirstGroup has promised to look into providing more peak-time services, some rail commuter groups believe the transfer could hit passengers hard.
Staff at both the rail companies also refused to say whether the change could mean staff at Huntingdon and Peterborough train stations working for Wagn could lose their jobs.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of the Rail Passengers Council, said the move could be bad news for commuters.
He said: "Overall, this is a disappointing deal. Commuters on Thameslink routes have been getting a raw deal.
"Trains are tired and in need of a face-lift, timekeeping has been up and down and peak overcrowding is severe.
"Commuters on Great Northern services will be deeply disappointed. Nevertheless, we are keen to hold early talks with FirstGroup to secure improvements to the quality of passengers' journeys."
Wagn and FirstGroup will now have immediate meetings to ensure a smooth and steady changeover between the two operators.
Today, FirstGroup proposed a raft of plans to transform rail travel in the city with more services and longer trains.
It said it would be looking into better facilities at stations, such as CCTV cameras, police community safety officer (PCSO) and British Transport Police patrols, and the appointment of a customer relations manager.
Stuart Bugg, spokesman for FirstGroup, said: "We will be looking into the feasibility of increasing services and having longer trains.
"We do realise that we need to try to create some extra capacity because this is a big growth area."
Geraint Hughes, spokesman for Wagn, said: "Obviously we are disappointed, but we are now just committed to a smooth transition and the work starts this week as to how that takes place.
"We are looking to maintain service quality and reliability in that period. Clearly, for a lot of staff there will be concerns about the transfer, but it is too early to say whether anyone will lose their jobs."
Train fares are set to go up in the new year. Wagn will put its prices up by 3.9 per cent in January. A spokesperson for FirstGroup said it had no plans to further increase the fares once it takes over the franchise in April.
GNER will continue to run its intercity services between Peterborough and King's Cross as usual next year.
