TfN chairman calls for a reliable rail service amid major disruption caused by Northern’s interim timetable
An extraordinary meeting of the Transport for the North partnership board have met to discuss the rail service disruption across the network operated by Northern.
The meeting was called following Northern’s implementation of an interim timetable on rail service routes.
John Cridland, chairman of Transport for the North, said: “As the voice of northern communities, we are standing up for passengers and businesses who have been let down. We’ve seen first-hand the distress that this disruption has caused and the very real impact this has on peoples’ lives.
“Our immediate focus must be on giving passengers the reliable rail service they deserve. Whilst the interim timetable has allowed passengers to better plan their journeys and there are tentative signs of improvement, we recognise that there are still too many delays, cancellations and overcrowded trains.
“We have been absolutely clear in what we expect of Northern: that passengers see an improvement in their experience of travelling by train as soon as possible. The board has today reiterated its commitment to restoring rail services on the Lakes Line as soon as possible.”
Members were resolute that the Rail North Partnership review of decision making, led by Councillor Judith Blake and Jo Johnson MP, will be used to make sure this did not happen again.
Northern has assured Transport for the North that the interim measures taken are allowing them to work towards delivering a restored timetable service by the end of July.
“We now call for a detailed compensation package for those affected. This should certainly include season ticket holders. The board also recognised and discussed the losses suffered by passengers and businesses,” added Cridland.
“The very prosperity of the North of England depends on a resilient and reliable transport network. We remain united in pursuing solutions to the current crisis which delivers this for northern citizens.”
