Northern Rail Ltd awarded the franchise for rail
services in the north.
A
new deal for rail services in the north that will see tough new targets for
punctuality, reliability and passenger satisfaction has been awarded to
Northern Rail Ltd, Rail Minister Stephen
Hammond announced yesterday (27 March 2014).
The
deal marks the start of the transformation of rail services across the north,
and will help support the government’s £600 million of investment
in the region.
This will see a significant amount of the network
electrified, delivering cleaner, quicker and more reliable journeys for
passengers travelling between key strategic cities including Leeds, Liverpool,
Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said:
Rail travel across the north will be transformed over
the next 5 years through huge levels of government investment.
However, I am well aware that there is a need for action
now. So I have insisted on even tougher punctuality, reliability and passenger
satisfaction targets for Northern Rail.
We
will also continue to work closely with the operator to deliver additional
electric trains which will strengthen services across the
network.
The
deal covers one of the most diverse rail networks in the country, with routes
that will transport passengers to major events taking place during the life of
the agreement, such as the Tour de France grand depart this summer, and the
Rugby Union World Cup next year.
It
underlines the government’s commitment to delivering the best possible
deal for passengers. This includes £38 billion to maintain and expand the
railways over the next 5 years, and action to cap fares at inflation for the
first time in 10 years.
The
Department for Transport and Northern Rail are continuing to work on proposals
to deliver a fleet of electric trains for the franchise, which would see
existing diesel stock released to strengthen other services during the period
of the deal.
The
operator will also provide new passenger information screens at a further 100
train stations and will work to make buying tickets more
convenient.
The
deal has been co-signed by the 5 passenger transport executives serving the
north, ensuring that government can continue to work with them to deliver
services tailored to needs of passengers in the region.
The
new agreement will run until February 2016 when a new long-term franchise will
be let.