Passengers ‘treated like cattle’ at train stations
TRAIN passengers are being ‘treated like cattle’ at Littleborough and Smithy Bridge’s ‘overcrowded’ stations.
That’s the view of Coun Janet Emsley, who has accused transport bosses of concentrating on ‘pie in the sky’ plans, while neglecting the needs of today’s commuters.
Her complaints come just three weeks after Transport for the North launched a £69bn ‘transport bible’ which outlines what is needed on roads and rail to boost the economy.
Pending public consultation, and crucially the government green light for funding, it included an M60 relief road, a road tunnel through the Pennines, cheaper tickets and underground platforms at Manchester Piccadilly.
But Coun Emsley said: “Commuters are getting pretty fed up about hearing about the huge investment plans for the future - yet rail bosses are incapable of adding a few carriages to the Leeds to Victoria service so people can get to work in Manchester on time.
“Last month Transport for the North announced investment plans over the next 30 years for schemes such as HS2 and a new motorway to Sheffield. That’s all well and good but local passengers need something doing now.”
Northern Rail recently gave a commitment to double the number of train carriages from two to four by March. But, Coun Emsley claims the deadline for the plans have already slipped and that there is no firm date for these changes to be put in place.
Coun Emsley added: “John Cridland, the boss of Transport for the North, should try getting on a train at Littleborough at rush hour. Then he’ll find out just how hollow his pie in the sky plans sound.
“We need a doubling of the carriages or extra trains in the rush hour between Littleborough and Manchester. Nothing less will do.”
Liam Sumpter, regional director for train operator Northern Rail, said: “I would like to apologise to customers who have experienced any discomfort or delay during their journeys and can assure them we are absolutely committed to delivering a better rail service for our customers.
“Wherever you are in the North, you will see massive changes in rail travel during the next few years and, by 2020, we will be operating 98 brandnew trains and a supporting fleet of fully refurbished trains.
“I’d welcome the opportunity to share our plans with Councillor Emsley as they are great news for the North, bringing muchneeded improvements that have already started.”
A spokesperson for Transport for the North said: “Rail North has been instrumental in bringing transformational rail franchises to the North of England. Working in partnership with the Department of Transport, they have used local knowledge and ambition to secure significant franchise investment in the North – including investment in new and refurbished trains, enhanced station facilities and faster and more frequent services.
“By 2020 this will enable 40,000 more train passengers to travel each day and 2000 more train services to be operated every week.”