Transformation of rail travel in the north

Transformation of rail travel in the north

Plans to give rail passengers in the North of England more seats, more services and a brand new fleet of modern trains were unveiled by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin today (27 February).

The publication of the Invitations to Tender is the first step in the transformation of train travel between the northern cities.  

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This is an historic moment for the North. Improving rail links in the region has been much anticipated. These old trains have been rattling across rails in the North for over 30 years; a constant source of complaint which have held the region back.

“As part of my Northern Futures initiative I asked the people of the North what they wanted to build a stronger economy and transport was top of the list. So I fought hard to replace pacer trains as soon as possible.

“Today's plans include a new fleet of trains and improved services that will better connect our great Northern towns and cities. Modernising rail in the North will encourage business, boost tourism and give commuters the journey they deserve; one that is fit for a 21st century metropolis.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This is great news for passengers across the north, who will finally get a rail service that matches up to the booming economy in this region. That means more seats, more services and a brand new fleet of modern trains.

"Unlike the last Northern franchise in 2004, which included limited plans to invest in services or meet demand, this deal will maintain investment and grow to fit the needs of passengers for years to come.

“Together with the £1 billion investment we are making to improve the region’s railways and our plans to link east and west through HS3, our railways are making the region an economic powerhouse.”

Chairman of Rail North, Sir Richard Leese said: “We know from the consultation that passengers want to see a step-change in the quality of train vehicles, stations, more trains on Sundays and at off-peak times, and longer trains at busy peak times to ease overcrowding - and thanks to the hard work put in by Rail North, that's exactly what they're going to get.

"But this is only the starting point; the Invitations to Tender specify the minimum required from the new franchisees, and Rail North will continue to push for greater enhancements in future years which will help deliver regional economic growth by helping people get to jobs faster, in comfort and affordably."

Mick Cash RMT general secretary said: "These plans are being spun by Nick Clegg and the Tories in a pre-election stunt that they claim will modernise rail services in the North when in reality they will condemn passengers to poor quality, unsafe and destaffed services for years to come.

"The tender documents allow bidders to axe guards and move to Driver Only Operation, compromising safety in the interests of private profit.

"Any new trains are light years away with passengers forced to endure the misery of the clapped out Pacers, and the ancient London Underground rolling stock that's heading north‎, way off into the future.

"Far from the 'Northern Powerhouse' rhetoric of George Osborne these plans condemn the north to third class rail services for years to come and are smeared in PR gloss about new trains that is all jam tomorrow.

"RMT is calling for a commitment from Labour that they will scrap the Northern rail carve up plans if elected and the union will make the continuing fight for jobs, safety and services a key election issue. "

Full details of what the bidders for the two new franchises are required to deliver are set out in the Invitations to Tender for the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises. These set out the minimum level of improvements bidders hoping to secure the next franchises will need to include in their detailed proposals.

The Northern franchise operates local, commuter and rural services throughout the region, and a number of long distance services linking major cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, York, Manchester, Bradford, Preston and Blackpool.

The key improvements the government wants the bidders for the Northern franchise to include are: 

• Removal of the existing Pacer trains
• Ordering at least 120 new-build carriages
• Modernising every train operating on the Northern franchise
• Doubling the number of services on many routes on the Northern franchise
• Providing more services for commuters, during off-peak times and on Sundays
• Investing at least £30 million to improve stations along the Northern franchise route
• Creating a Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) to invest around £13.8 million to deliver benefits for passengers
• Introducing free Wi-Fi on all Northern trains by 2020 at the latest

The TransPeninne Express franchise provides longer distance intercity-type services, connecting the major cities of Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Hull, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Manchester Airport. The key improvements the government wants the bidders for the TransPeninne Express franchise to include are: 

• Introducing extra capacity for passengers through more carriages, increased frequencies or more services
• Proving earlier and later services and more services on Sundays
• Creating a Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) to invest around £2.8 million in passenger benefits
• Considering options for new services such as links between Liverpool and Scotland, Crewe to Manchester Airport and extending Newcastle services to Edinburgh
• Working with Network Rail to ensure the electrification of the cross-Pennine Manchester to Leeds route is delivered effectively 
• Introducing free Wi-Fi on all TransPennine Express trains by 2020 at the latest

In August, the government announced which companies had been shortlisted in the competition to run the two franchises. 

For the Northern franchise, these are: 

• Abellio Northern Ltd
• Arriva Rail North Limited
• Govia Northern Limited

For the TransPennine Express franchise these are: 

• First Trans Pennine Express Limited
• Keolis Go-Ahead Limited
• Stagecoach Trans Pennine Express Trains Limited

A public consultation was launched in June, asking for the views of passengers and stakeholders on how the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises should be improved. Alongside the ITTs, the government is publishing a summary of the responses to its consultation. 

Bidders for the Trans Pennine Express franchise have until 28 May 2015 to submit their bids. For Northern, the deadline is 26 June 2015.