Transport for the North has announced that it has called for train operator Northern to improve its service after hundreds of trains were cancelled over Christmas week.
The North's leaders, as part of Transport for the North's Rail North Committee, are to meet in Leeds on 8 January 2020 to discuss the issues.
They have previously recommended to the Secretary of State that an Operator of Last Resort for the Northern franchise would help restore public confidence.
David Hoggarth, Strategic Rail Director at Transport for the North, said:
“We are deeply concerned that, on top of ongoing poor performance and heavy disruption during the first week of the new timetable, Northern is having to cancel hundreds of services in the North West on Christmas Eve and Friday 27 December.
“It is totally unacceptable that passengers once again do not have a full service they can rely on, especially at this busy time of year.
“We have made our concerns clear to Northern and reiterated that passengers deserve better. We will continue to monitor performance over the Christmas break and expect to see comprehensive preparations in place to enable a return to a more reliable and robust service as people go back to work in January.”
Where Next?
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Framed Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop Community
Come and share your railway pictures
Mainline Steam Info
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
I have used Northern a lot in the last few weeks and it’s service has been quite appalling. I think lack of drivers, poor rostering and are all Northern managements fault. However when the Nationalised railway authorities reduced capacity at Stations like Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly, then allowed more and more services without increasing capacity then they should also be blamed. Victoria needs more platforms, and reopening Mayfield would help. Issuing pr drivel is not the answer, we need action not excuses!
Northern hitting rock bottom once again. Couldn’t be said about what they have caused lots of misery to passengers including having strikes.