THE companies bidding to run trains on the flagship route from York to London are set to hear what York's councillors and officers want from them.

The four shortlisted bidders for the East Coast Main Line franchise will be staging presentations in the main City of York Council chamber at the Guildhall on Wednesday, May 9.

The event will be one of the first to be attended by new councillors following the elections later this week.

The presentations, which have been organised by the Economic Development Partnership Board, will be followed by question-and-answer sessions.

One of the key points which councillors are bound to raise is whether the bidders intend keeping the franchise's headquarters in York, saving hundreds of jobs for the city. GNER, which is giving up its franchise for the route, currently employs about 400 people at its York HQ.

Two bidders, National Express and a consortium of Virgin, Stagecoach and GNER have already told The Press they would keep the headquarters in the city.

The remaining two bidders, First Rail and Arriva, have said the terms of the bidding process do not allow them to disclose such information, but have hinted strongly that they will also keep the HQ here.

First has told York MP Hugh Bayley that it recognised the contribution made to the franchise by "high-quality, experienced professionals" in York, and said that when it had won other franchises elsewhere in Britain, it had never chosen to relocate them away from their historical base.

Meanwhile, Arriva said it recognised the importance and value of all GNER's staff and what they had achieved.

Roger Ranson, the council's assistant director economic development, has told councillors how important it is that the bidders are made fully aware at the presentations of the authority's aspirations and views, and that the Government makes the most appropriate choice of bidder.

"The East Coast Main Line is a vital economic artery for York," he said in a letter to councillors.