The Transportation Secretary said the TransPennine Express would come under government control

[ad_1]

Brightcove video playback

The Minister for Transport said that train services operated by TransPennine Express would come under government control due to “ongoing cancellations”.

Mark Harper has decided not to extend or renew TransPennine’s contract, and to provide services to the Department of Transportation’s Last Resort (OLR) effective May 28.

The cabinet minister said the decision was due to “travelers and northern companies bearing the brunt of the continuous cancellation”.

This significant disruption has reduced the confidence of commuters who rely on TransPennine (TPE) trains to get to work, visit family and friends, and go about their daily lives.

TPE commuters have suffered widespread delays and cancellations over the past year.

FirstGroup-owned FirstGroup, which covers an area across the north of England and in Scotland, has been severely affected by Aslef union member drivers not volunteering to work paid overtime shifts.

The latest figures show that TPE canceled the equivalent of one in six services across most of March.

The latest figures show that TPE canceled the equivalent of one in six services across most of March. Credit: PA Images

Mr. Harper cautioned that the decision to bring the services into OLR is “not a silver bullet.”

Mr Harper said: “In my time as Transport Secretary I have been clear that the passenger experience must always come first.

“After months of Northern passengers and businesses bearing the brunt of continued cancellations, I have made the decision to bring TransPennine Express into Last Resort operator.”

The DOT said that while some improvements have been made over the past few months, core nodes and relationships need to be reset to achieve the performance levels commuters deserve.

Mr Harper cautioned that putting the operator under government control would not immediately resolve issues with the service, including ASLEF’s actions preventing TPE from operating a full service.

He continued, “We have played our part, but the ASLEF now needs to play their part by abolishing strikes and banning rest day work, and putting the offer of fair and very reasonable pay to the democratic vote of its members.”

Under another resort operator, services will operate as normal with no changes to tickets, schedules or planned services with management committed to ensuring a smooth transition of passengers.

Responding to the Government’s announcement that TransPennine Express would not be renewing its contract, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “It is absolutely true that this is the end of the line for the failure of the rail company TransPennine Express.

“We have been urging the government to act for about a year as delays and cancellations hurt our economy and exposed commuters in the North to great misery.

“This is a victory for the northern mayors who have rallied together to hold the TransPennine Express government and Rishi Sunak to account on this issue.

“We hope this provides an opportunity to re-establish relationships with staff who have borne the brunt of the operator’s failures and look forward to hearing how the new operator intends to improve services.

“As the voice of passengers, I will continue to speak for their interests first and foremost.”

Transport Focus CEO Anthony Smith said passengers just want to see “a more reliable service”.

He said: “TransPennine Express passengers have suffered from unacceptable service for far too long.

“In our most recent survey, TransPennine Express was rated the worst performing train operator, and only 67% of passengers were satisfied with how accurate their journey was.

“Whichever organization runs TransPennine Express rail services – under what contractual arrangement – passengers will want to see a more reliable service.

“It is clear that passengers deserve better and that the operator needs to take action to improve performance and rebuild passenger confidence.”

DfT said that while some improvements had already been made, more needed to be done to achieve the performance passengers deserve. Credit: PA

The Department of Transportation said the decision to place TransPennine Express under the control of Last Resort operator is temporary and the government intends to return to the private sector.

Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, owner of TransPennine Express, said: “We’ve run the TransPennine Express and its predecessors since 2004, and we’re very proud to have served communities across the north of England and into Scotland, carrying millions of passengers and introducing new trains, new routes and more seats. to our customers.

“Our team has worked hard to improve services, including by hiring and training more drivers than ever before.

“We have also been working closely with the Department for Transport and Transportation North on an agreed recovery plan as well as an improved offer of overtime for our drivers.

FirstGroup is a leading UK rail operator with a strong and diversified portfolio.

“Today’s decision does not change our belief in the important role of private rail operators in delivering vital and environmentally friendly transport to customers and communities across the UK.”

FirstGroup will continue to operate Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Hull Trains and Lumo.

Last Resort operator already operates North East London Railway and Northern and South Eastern services.

Train services operated by TransPennine Express will come under government control later this month.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the most important news? Listen to our latest podcast to find out what you need to know…

[ad_2]