Long-suffering commuters could benefit from quicker and more frequent trains following a battle between two transport giants.

The fight to run Chiltern Railways has boiled down to a contest between the existing franchise holder, M40 Trains, and competitors Go-Ahead.

Both are bidding for a 20-year franchise and have lodged their proposals with the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) which will decide 'in the next few weeks' on a winner.

Chiltern Railways operates services from Marylebone through Wembley, Sudbury and Northolt Park and onto High Wycome and Birmingham on one route.

Its other route travels through Northwick Park and Harrow-on-the-Hill to Aylesbury.

Recently it has brought commuters little but misery as the tracks' inability to carry sufficient trains has led to overcrowding and long waits between services.

But both companies' plans claim to resolve these problems. M40 Trains boasts a £400æmillion package including a new half-hourly stopping service ,, the Chiltern Metro,, serving West Ruislip to London.

It also promises the installation of 2.5æmiles of four-track railway in Ruislip, allowing greater capacity on the line and a new platform at Wembley Stadium station and a link to Clapham Junction before and after major events.

Go-Ahead's £1æbillion package is split into committed, primary and secondary plans. Its committed proposals also include upgrading the track between South Ruislip and West Ealing to permit more trains to run.

Its solution to the needs for Wembley Stadium station are to double services to four trains an hour and conduct special services on event days.

Company spokesman Martin Walter said: 'The problem on the line is similar to that on roads. When there are too many cars on the road everything slows down.

'Our plan will build in extra capacity on the track.'

M40 Trains current franchise runs until July 2003, but it is expected that whichever firm wins the new deal will take over early next year.