Northern mayors join forces to call for fresh start on TransPennine Express

Photo: GMCA

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham

Five mayors including Andy Burnham have today (Monday 17 April) told the government that a fresh start is desperately needed on TransPennine Express and that it is the only way to get the urgent improvements passengers deserve.

A decision on whether to renew First Group's contract to run the service is imminent, given the current contract expires on 28 May. There are suggestions that the government is preparing to offer the company a contract extension.

In a joint letter to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, the mayors say that any such decision would be to reward failure and fail passengers across the north. They point to the ongoing high number of cancellations and overcrowding on services that do operate.

From 5 to 31 March, of the 7,015 services that should have operated, 982 were pre-cancelled the day before and a further 455 on the day. These 1,437 cancellations represent 20.5% of the contracted train plan.

In a joint statement, the mayors said: “We understand that a decision is imminent on the contract for TransPennine Express.

“We are concerned by suggestions that First Group may be awarded a contract extension and cannot see how this can possibly be justified given the ongoing cancellations and poor service being provided.

“We have today written to the Secretary of State, as mayors representing millions of people across the north, to reiterate our firm view that it is time for a fresh start.

“We stand ready to work with the government to reshape our railways and make them work better for our regions.

“Moving now to an Operator of Last Resort will bring forward the change on the railways that the north desperately needs.”