Rail franchise award changes afoot

TRANSPORT authorities in Greater Manchester and West and South Yorkshire could be given the power to award the Northern and Trans-Pennine regional rail franchises  it has emerged.

The three bodies have been asked by the Department for Transport to put forward submissions on how thet would manage such a devolved decision.

A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester told TheBusinessDesk.com: “It is something we are looking at, but it is not certain that it will happen.

“Currently the process to select franchise operators for regional routes takes place in Whitehall at the DfT and the position is they are looking to see whether a local decision would not be better.”

Cllr Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee said: “Our proposals for rail devolution will build on the strong working relationships the north of England has developed, for example, in making the case over the past three years for the Northern Hub. 

“By creating a common approach across the North we believe we will be able to secure improvements to the railway that are better focussed on the needs of the North.”

The Northern franchise, currently operated by Anglo-Dutch partnership Serco-Abellio, was due to be re-let in 2014, although this date may be put back due to the debacle over the West Coast mainline franchise competition, which was scrapped at the 11th hour and willl cost the taxpayer around £40m.

The TransPennine Express franchise, a partnership between First Group and French company Keolis, runs to March 2015.