GovWire

Rail journeys in the north-west will undergo the biggest transformation in decades, thanks to an unprecedented package of improvements being delivered in new franchise deals, the government announced today (9 December 2015).

More than 500 brand-new carriages, the removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains, room for 40,000 extra passengers at the busiest times, and more than 2,000 extra services a week will be delivered across the north.

The government has announced it intends to award the Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Limited, and the TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited. Together they will oversee a massive 1.2 billion boost to rail services with brand-new modern trains, more seats, more services and a host of improvements to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience - as well as playing a vital role in bringing the Northern Powerhouse to life, rebalancing the economy, creating jobs, opportunity and growth, and providing significantly better journeys across the region.

As part of the governments 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 Im delighted that we have found 2 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.

In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth today weve put that right.

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.

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities said:

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, thats exactly what we are able to announce today.

This is another crucial move towards devolution for the north. Rail North will now play a major 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 400 million in 281 brand new air-conditioned carriages to be rolled out across the north more than double the minimum required in the governments invitation to tender.

In the north-west, 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
• brand 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 Arrivas 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 1 billion 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 125 mph 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

Tim OToole, chief executive of FirstGroup, said:

Our new TransPennine Express franchise will deliver faster and more frequent intercity train services between the norths 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 pas

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