Borders MP 'hopeful' rail services at Reston will improve as contract with TransPennine Express nears end of the line
Last updated 11th May 2023
Train services run by TransPennine Express are to be nationalised after months of delays and cancellations.
The move - which comes into force on May the 28th - is being welcomed by Borders MP John Lamont, who hopes it will lead to improved services on the East Coast Main Line.
Around one in six of TransPennine's services were cancelled in March, which was the highest rate of any train operator in the UK.
Services at the new station in Reston were frequently cancelled - some days every single train.
Mr Lamont said: “I am optimistic that this move will mean more progress towards a reliable and affordable service at Reston station.
“TransPennine Express have failed to deliver for local residents who use Reston Station with services often cancelled and fares priced far too high.
“The local community campaigned for Reston station to be re-opened for decades so I am hopeful that services will now improve and residents will get the train service they deserve."
And he added: “I will continue to work with the Transport Secretary and the local campaign group, Rail Action Group East of Scotland, to ensure an improved and more cost-effective service is delivered.”
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Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced the decision to bring the operator's services under Government control, but warned it is "not a silver bullet".
Graham Sutherland, chief executive of TransPennine Express owner FirstGroup, insisted the company has "worked extremely hard to improve services".
Watchdog Transport Focus said passengers have "endured an unacceptable service for too long" while West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin declared it was "absolutely right that this is the end of the line" for what she described as a "failing railway operator".
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Mr Harper said: "In my time as Transport Secretary, I have been clear that passenger experience must always come first.
"After months of commuters and northern businesses bearing the brunt of continuous cancellations, I've made the decision to bring TransPennine Express into Operator of Last Resort.
"This is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced, including Aslef's actions which are preventing TransPennine Express from being able to run a full service."
FirstGroup will continue to run Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Hull Trains and Lumo.
The Operator of Last Resort already runs London North Eastern Railway, Northern and Southeastern services, while ScotRail and Transport for Wales are run by the Scottish and Welsh Governments respectively.
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