Councils set to control rail franchises

NORTHERN rail services are set to be taken over by councils from both sides of the Pennines working together.

Plans are being drawn up for a new body that would take control of the ‘northern’ and ‘transpennine’ rail franchises from the Government “to support economic growth by delivering more capacity and better connectivity”.

Business leaders have long argued that improving rail connections between the North’s towns and cities is critical to improving the North’s economic fortunes.
If given the go-ahead, the new body, to be known as the Rail in the North Executive (RiNE), would bring together councils in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, York and South Yorkshire.

It is likely that the two current franchises will be merged into one and let to an operator for seven years with the option of a three year extension.

Extra carriages, smart ticketing, station improvements and more electrification are among the main goals RiNE would pursue.

RiNE would have an executive board with representatives from each area whose influence would be weighted to reflect the number of rail services in which they have an interest.

The current Northern Rail franchise is due to expire in April 2014, and although the Transpennine Express franchise was recently extended, the Department for Transport has an option to terminate it by April 2014.

The proposal was approved by Greater Manchester’s Combined Authority late last month and will be considered by councillors in West Yorkshire this week.