Although FirstGroup has a lower media profile than the Virgin empire, it is a proven transport operator, as the owner of the First TransPennine Express, First Capital Connect and First Great Western franchises. However, the DfT appears unfazed by Branson's campaign and contractual talks are continuing with FirstGroup to get an agreement finalised by tomorrow. A DfT spokesman said: "We note the offer that one of the bidders appears to have made via the press. However, the winning bidder was decided by a fair and established process and no reason has been advanced to convince DfT not to sign the agreement." More than 100,000 members of the public have signed an online petition against the decision, prompting Labour MPs to claim parliament had been denied the chance to raise concerns about the deal because it was announced during the House of Commons summer recess. The shadow transport secretary, Maria Eagle, has written to her government counterpart, Justine Greening, asking for a delay in the contract signing.