Brussels, 10/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised FirstGroup plc (United Kingdom) and Keolis (France) to create a joint enterprise in the railways sector. Known as Trans-Pennine Express, it will run a train service between Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and other cities in the north of England. FirstGroup is a bus and rail passenger transport operator, based in the UK. It also has a presence in two other franchisees, Anglia and Hull Trains, through its majority stake in GB Railways Group. Keolis has a majority stake in two other franchisees, Thames Link and South Central. It provides passenger transport services in the bus, train and light rail sector in France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Commission authorised the operation, which presents no competition problems.