‘World class’ rail pledge as key franchises awarded

THE government has promised passengers in the region a “world class rail service” as it announced major investment in connections, stations, trains and technology would follow the award of long-term contracts for the Northern and TransPennine Express routes.

In a change from the current franchise holders, the Northern service will be operated by Arriva Rail North, taking over from Serco Abellio from 2016. while the TransPennine Express route will be operated by FirstGroup, which currently runs the service in a joint venture with Keolis.

The Department for Transport said the  operators will oversee a £1.2bn boost to rail services with 500 new modern carriages, room for 40,000 more passengers, thousands more services and a host of improvements across the north to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience.

 Improvements in the North West include more space into Manchester and Liverpool at peak times, newer trains for Bolton and new services into Scotland. The ageing and unpopular Pacer trains will be scrapped from the end of 2019.

As part of the government’s commitment to ensure local passengers are at the heart of the rail network and devolve power to those that know their economies and customers best, the franchises will be jointly managed from Leeds by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited – which represents 29 local authorities across the north.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We promised passengers in the North West a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality – and I’m delighted that we have found two operators that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.

He added: “Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and – coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital Transpennine route – will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for the North West.”

Manchester City Council leasder Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities added: “Passengers were clear that they wanted to see a transformation including a lot more newer, better, trains running more regularly with a step change in services provided off-peak and on Sundays. They also wanted improvements to stations and changes to make ticketing easier – and thanks to all the partnership work by Rail North and the Department for Transport, that’s exactly what we are able to announce today.
 
“This is another crucial move towards devolution for the North. Rail North will now play a key role in the management and development of both new franchises, providing an excellent platform for further development and full devolution in the future. Rail North will work very closely with Transport for the North to drive forward economic growth by developing visionary proposals to deliver radically improved connectivity across the north.”

Arriva Rail North Limited will run the Northern franchise – which is the second largest in the UK and operates regional and commuter services across the region – from April 2016 until March 2025. The operator will oversee the complete removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacers by the end of 2019, introduce more than 2,000 extra services each week, and will invest £400m in 281 new air-conditioned carriages to be rolled out across the north – more than double the minimum required in the government’s Invitation to Tender.

In the region specific improvements on the Northern network include:
• Longer trains and more frequent services providing space for nearly 13,000 more passengers – around 26% more capacity – into Manchester and Liverpool during the morning rush hour; plus longer, newer trains serving Bolton
• a new high-quality ‘Northern Connect’ service, meaning new or refurbished trains on longer-distance services, faster journeys and stations staffed daily with catering services and free Wi-Fi at each one. As well as serving Liverpool and Manchester, this network will also serve other destinations including Blackpool North, Lancaster, Barrow, Chester, Windermere, Huyton, Carlisle and Warrington
• New electric trains on services from Manchester to Preston and Blackpool once electrification is complete
• New late evening services on the Todmorden Curve from Manchester Victoria to Blackburn via Burnley and Accrington
• More services into Manchester from Liverpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Chester, Hazel Grove and Macclesfield; into Manchester Airport from central Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington Central; and a new direct service from Chester to Leeds
• More services  and space on the Cumbrian Coast line, with timetable improvements to benefit workers at Sellafield and Whitehaven
• improved ticketing, including mobile and print-at-home tickets, and discounted fares for jobseekers

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said: “We are proud to be given the opportunity to transform rail travel for passengers in the north of England and to work closely with our partners to connect towns, cities and communities like never before.
 
“We will be investing more than £1bn to deliver a step-change in quality for customers and dramatically improving services, stations, information and ticketing. Our aim is to be the communities’ local railway and to leave a positive lasting legacy for the north of England.”

First Trans Pennine Express Limited will operate services on the TransPennine Express franchise – which runs intercity services across the region and into Scotland – from April 2016 until March 2023. They will bring in 220 new carriages, equivalent to 44 trains, providing fast 125mph services across the network, as well as introducing in the north west:

• nearly 4,000 more seats on Liverpool and Manchester services – an overall increase of 59% – during the morning peak
• a new, direct Liverpool to Glasgow service from December 2018 with new electric trains and additional services from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh from December 2017
• more trains from Manchester to Hull, Middlesbrough and Liverpool , with faster, more regular services from Liverpool to Manchester and Leeds, plus a new direct link from Manchester Airport to Newcastle
• discounted advance fares for 16- to 18-year-olds and jobseekers

FirstGroup said during the life of the franchise more than £500m. It will have responsibility for 19 of the region’s railway stations and will invest more than £18m to further develop these transport hubs. Customer information at stations and via websites and mobile apps will be improved and all TransPennine Express trains and FirstGroup-operated stations will be fitted with free Wi-Fi by 2018.

FirstGroup’s chief executive Tim O’Toole said: “Our new TransPennine Express franchise will deliver faster and more frequent intercity train services between the North’s major towns and cities and we are excited to help the Government achieve its vision for a Northern Powerhouse.

“Our plans include investment in new and refurbished trains on every part of the network, with millions more seats available, free Wi-Fi and simpler smart and mobile ticketing, allowing us to build on the success we have had over the past 11 years, in which we have more than doubled passenger journeys on the network.

“We will work with local authorities, customers and community groups to give them a real stake in the future of their intercity rail travel. The new TransPennine Express will connect the North and keep people moving and communities prospering across the region.

“I am delighted that our disciplined approach to rail franchise bidding has given us this opportunity to continue to deliver ambitious improvements for TransPennine Express passengers and appropriate returns for our shareholders, at an acceptable level of risk.”

Business leaders welcomed the announcement.

Damian Waters, CBI North West director, said: “This is a welcome boost to businesses across the North. The Northern franchise is a crucial part of the infrastructure that is needed to underpin our ambition for the delivery of a Northern Powerhouse. Improved trains, more seats and more frequent services are critical to keeping people and businesses moving across the region.”

Ken O’Toole, managing director of Manchester Airport said: “We welcome the intent to deliver a world class rail system across the North, which will further enhance and develop the Northern Powerhouse proposition.

“Furthermore as the recent Transport for the North interim report emphasised, reducing journey times between the major cities and Manchester Airport is key to realising the full potential of the Northern Powerhouse and connecting the entire North to key global market points. We look forward to working with the operating companies, TfN, Network Rail and other parties to deliver that vision together.”

Clive Drinkwater, North West regional director of UK Trade & Investment added: “In order for our region to achieve its potential we need to pool our resources, share expertise and work more closely with other businesses in our region, as well as those across the North as a whole. 

“Transport links can be a significant obstacle in allowing companies to exchange skills and knowledge with ease – the Northern Rail franchise will go a long way in helping to remove that barrier, allowing SMEs to speak to each other before, with UK Trade & Investment’s help, speaking to the rest of the world.”