TRANSPORT
A DECISION on whether troubled rail operator Northern will be taken into public ownership will be made before the end of the month, the Transport Secretary has revealed.
Mr Shapps spoke out after releasing a statement which said Northern, which runs services though Calderdale, has the finances to continue only “for a number months”.
“I hope this sends a strong signal across the whole network, beyond Northern...”
In a written ministerial statement, Mr Shapps said: “Passengers in the north have had to put up with unacceptable services for too long.
“We understand how frustrating this has been for people and we are taking action to make sure that performance improves.”
A decision will be made between a fresh short-term contract for the operating company Arriva, or a temporary nationalisation via the Deparment for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort, on January 29, Mr Shapps added.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Mr Shapps insisted.
“I’ve made clear since I became Transport Secretary, as a long-suffering commuter myself, people should be able to turn up, the train should be there, they should be able to get home from work – I’ve missed picking up my kids from school because of this. There are hugely inefficient services. That has to come to an end.”
Northern has faced a range of issues in recent years, such as widespread cancellations amid the introduction of new timetables.
“I hope this sends a strong signal across the whole network, beyond Northern,” said Shapps, who also said his eye was on the recent poor performanceofTransPennine Express, which operates through north Kirklees.
“To clarify, the current financial position of the Northern franchise will not impact on the railway’s day-to-day operations,” Mr Shapps said in his statement. “Services will continue to run and there will be no impact on staff.”
Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s transport lead, said: “We reiterated to the Secretary of State our view that moving from Northern to the Operator of Last Resort would secure the best outcome for passengers in the short term.
“We welcomed his proposal for greater local involvement in future decisions and also made clear dramatic improvements are needed on TransPennine Express services.
“The North will only have the modern reliable rail service we need and deserve with