Transport for the North hold train operators to account

Rail operators were held to account by Transport for the North (TfN) today (September 13).

They were quizzed over the summer of chaos that affected commuters across the region due to botched electrification plans and the introduction of a flawed new timetable.

During today’s meeting in Sheffield the TfN board won enhanced compensation payments for commuters affected by rail delays, and an undertaking from Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to bow to TfN calls and appoint a ‘rail czar’ to oversee rail issues.

On the subject of rail performance, Northern, TransPennine Express and Network Rail gave a presentation on their improvement plans and the TfN board expressed frustration around performance in general, and in particular the industry’s short term plans to improve the resilience of the network.

While recognising that performance has improved and stabilised since the major disruptions following the May timetable change, board members repeatedly challenged representatives from Northern, Trans Pennine Express and Network Rail about the reasons for continued delays, cancellations and short-formed trains.

Also at the meeting, it was announced by Transport Minister Jo Johnson that in response to TfN’s letter of August 2, to Chris Grayling calling for a single person to oversee both infrastructure and train operations, Richard George has been appointed, working closely alongside TfN.

With extensive rail industry experience, Mr George has served as chairman on the boards of First Group, First Great Western, First Great Eastern and First North Western.

He was director of transport at the London Olympics and is currently global head of rail infrastructure at SNC Lavelin.

He will assume his role following final agreement between TfN and the Department for Transport on the details of the appointment.

TfN also announced that terms have been agreed between the Rail North Partnership and Northern on compensation for some regular travellers in the most disrupted areas.

An announcement will follow from the train operating companies with the scheme implemented as soon as possible, they said.

The news on compensation follows the announcement yesterday of an enhanced Delay Repay scheme for Northern passengers.

From December, passengers whose journeys are disrupted by 15-29 minutes will also be able to claim compensation under the Northern Delay Repay scheme – currently only those delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim.

TfN chairman John Cridland said: “Our focus as a board is on a rail service that is reliable, resilient and environmentally sustainable and we will continue to press the industry in order to deliver on our vision.

“Richard George’s appointment is a major step forward for the travelling public of the North and a clear indication that Government is listening to the views of Transport for the North.

“It will enable us to address the structural issues relating to the rail industry that have had a major impact on passengers, while the imminent implementation of the further compensation scheme we have been seeking will help passengers who were disrupted earlier this year.”

The board also said it welcomed the allocation of nearly £3bn over the next five years by government as the first phase of upgrading the Transpennine railway line.

But the board also made a clear call to ensure that designs for the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme should allow for the full delivery of all outcomes originally agreed:

• Target journey times of 40 minutes between Leeds and Manchester and 62 minutes between Manchester and York
• Six long distance trains per hour, while allowing for the same frequency of local trains
• Greater capacity through provision for longer trains
• The highest reliability levels of any long-distance service in Britain
• Provision for freight, with the option to transport containers by rail (which is not currently possible)

Mr Cridland said: “We are pleased that the Government is showing continued commitment to the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which is a vital component of the Northern Powerhouse, and we look forward to working closely with the Department for Transport and Network Rail as detailed design begins.”