END OF THE LINE FOR NORTHERN RAIL? GRANT SHAPPS ANNOUNCES HE IS TAKING ACTION OVER ITS UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested that beleaguered train operator Northern Rail WILL see its franchise stripped away after huge failures in its performance.

Mr Shapps said that he had already announced the start of the process to find a new operator to Parliament last autumn.

Complaints over the summer of 2018 flooded in after changes to the time table left the service in complete chaos, with trains cancelled, a lack of trained drivers and thousands left stranded on platforms as trains failed to turn up on time. At one point up to 310 trains per day were cancelled leaving commuters to find alternative routes to and from work.

Speaking on BBC's This Morning program Mr Shapps said it was completely unacceptable to have a situation in which trains don't run on time or to a routine.

When asked if he thought it Northern Rail was unfit to run the franchise he replied saying that it was no where near acceptable, going on to say:

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"It's completely unacceptable to have a situation where trains almost routinely don't run to a routine, don't run on time. I simply will not put up with that and I've already kicked off that process and I'll be saying more about it very soon."

Figures released by the Office of Rail and Road paint a dire picture as they show that just 56% of Northern's services were on time this quarter.

In response to Mr Shapps comments, David Brown, Managing Director at Northern, said:

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“It’s on record that the Northern franchise has faced several material and unprecedented challenges in the past couple of years, outside the direct control of Northern. The most significant of these is the ongoing, late delivery of major infrastructure upgrades.

“The North West electrification was more than two years late, which meant we could not use electric trains on that route or cascade diesel trains from that route to run more services elsewhere on our network. More recently, new and longer platforms at Leeds stations are delayed, which means we have had to postpone our plans to run longer trains.

“These factors – alongside the damage caused by strike action and lower than expected economic growth – have had a significant effect on the revenue expected in our original franchise business plan agreed with government back in 2015.

“That’s why the Government has asked us to prepare a business plan for a shorter ‘Direct Award’ which will see the completion of our transformation programme.”

“Arriva and Northern remain fully committed to delivering the transformation of the North’s railways and improving customers’ experience. We are delivering the biggest transformation of local rail for a generation, with 52 of our 101 new trains in service and driver training taking place on dozens more trains right now. Alongside 2,000 extra services per week, this is part of a £600 million investment in improving customers’ experience; we are continuing to invest in better stations, better offers for customers and more recruitment.

“These discussions have no impact on rail services for customers. Our job is to continue to provide the best service possible for our customers whilst any discussions are taking place.”

 

Mr Shapps said the process to start the search for a replacement operator is underway and there will be a further announcement soon.

Speaking on Twitter, Greater Manchesters Mayor Andy Burnham gave his response by saying that it was too long coming but welcome news,

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"Too long in coming but welcome news.

"It should be done quickly & just the first step in the radical reform of railways in the North.

"Today must be the last time people are asked to pay more for a poorer service."