Any major change to the Northern franchise could result in significant disruption, Rail Minister Andrew Jones has warned.
He was responding to a Commons Written Question from Faisal Rashid (Labour, Warrington South), who had asked if Government would make it policy to allow the Northern franchise to be publicly run.
Similar calls have been made by the Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Replying to Rashid on July 11, Jones said: “Alongside Transport for the North, who co-manage the franchise, our absolute priority is delivering the services that passengers expect.
“At a time when performance is improving and brand new trains have been successfully introduced onto the network to replace the unpopular and dated Pacers, major change could result in significant disruption. We see no reason at this stage to consider making changes to the franchise.”
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For the FULL story on Northern retaining Pacers, read RAIL 884, published on July 31, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle from July 27.
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For the FULL story on Northern's new trains, read RAIL 883, out now.
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William longworth - 24/07/2019 17:44
SO northern rail to stay as it is.ie not fit for purpose run by simpletins.Whos feathering whose pockets between mMPs N those destroying northern rail.Theres is no new trains in our region just the boneshakers we havehad for far too long.anyone from the govt or imboseels at northern rail can contact me anytime but i dont think any of the overpaid cowaeds will.
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Surely Promotion Beckons - 25/07/2019 04:27
Wow. Thanks guys for the reassurance that change / improvement is NOT a current commitment and that all is well on the nothern network. I would certainly like to express my appreciation of your upstanding efforts with my most recent (and not uncommon) commute home which lasted a mere 3 hours on an unsafe, overcrowded / under resourced service ( which is the 'accepted' (BY NO ONE) norm) on the hottest day so far this year. A tepid 34 degree un-air-conditioned delight. Please keep up your great endeavours to keep the MASSIVELY OVERPRICED / UNCOMPETITIVE SERVICE freely running and your CEO / majority shareholders handsomely rewarded. Long reign the beautiful 'Northern Powerhouse'.
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