New Rail Network will benefit North East
Rail transformation journey begins as Arriva launches new Northern franchise
Rail passengers across the North will soon benefit from new trains, an overall 37 per cent increase in peak time capacity and revamped ticketing as Arriva launches the new-look Northern rail franchise today.
One of the largest transport networks in the UK, Northern provides more than 16,000 weekly train services to a population of 15 million people. By 2019, Arriva will have increased services to more than 18,000 each week whilst also replacing the unpopular Pacer trains through a multi-million pound rolling stock investment programme.
The unveiling of the new franchise, which has also seen 5,000 employees joining Arriva, was marked at a ceremony held at Manchester Piccadilly station this morning, where Transport Minister Andrew Jones joined Arriva UK Trains managing director Chris Burchell, managing director of Northern Alex Hynes, and transport partners from Rail North.
Tyne and Wear will see new trains and various improvements to the network. By 2019, a new ‘Northern Connect’ service across Newcastle will link Carlisle and Hexham with Stockton and Middlesbrough. Local services will also be improved, with an all-day hourly service introduced between Bishop Auckland and Darlington. By 2019, Newcastle commuters will also benefit from a 27 per cent increase in peak time capacity.
The new Northern franchise will also bring improved customer services, with extended staffing hours and staff at previously unstaffed stations. All stations served by Northern Connect services will also benefit from WiFi, catering and improved lighting.
The start of the franchise marks only the beginning of Arriva’s plans to transform rail travel in the North of England. By injecting a total of £1bn throughout the next nine-years, Arriva’s plans include:
**New and refurbished trains:** Within three years, Arriva will introduce 281 new carriages, fully refurbish the remaining fleet and remove all Pacer trains. All trains will have free WiFi by 2019.
**More services and faster journeys:** A 12 per cent increase in the number of services by 2019 – giving passengers greater choice with over 2,000 more services each week. Beginning in December 2017, new timetables will also provide 100 new through journey opportunities across Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and other regional hubs.
**More capacity:** With more and longer trains, there will be a 37 per cent increase in peak time capacity within the next three years.
**Improved connections through Northern Connect: **Launching in 2019 with new trains, inter-urban Northern Connect services will provide faster city connections through a network of 12 long distance routes. They will provide faster connections to Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield, including new services from Bradford to Manchester Airport and Lincoln to Leeds. Northern Connect services will offer free WiFi, plug sockets, tables, air conditioning and seat reservations.
**Significant station improvements:** Investing in stations to give customers easier access to information and providing new seating and waiting areas. This includes video help points being introduced at 447 stations and customer information screens at more than 160 new locations.
**Value for money and choice: **Creating easier ticketing options, including advanced and off-peak fares – encouraging leisure journeys and reducing peak overcrowding.
**Northern employees:** 45 currently unstaffed stations will be staffed and there will be extended opening hours at 54 locations.
Chris Burchell, Managing Director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said:
“Today marks an exciting day for Arriva and the millions of passengers who travel on Northern. For Tyne and Wear alone, in the future it will mean new trains and more frequent services. By 2019, a new ‘Northern Connect’ service will run through Newcastle, linking Carlisle and Hexham with Stockton and Middlesbrough. A number of other services will also be improved, including an all-day hourly service between Bishop Auckland and Darlington. Passengers will benefit from new trains and improved timetabling, which will see peak time capacity through Newcastle improved by 27 per cent by 2019.
“We are investing in new and refurbished trains, journeys will be improved through refreshed networks and timetables, and our trains will offer more capacity and comfort."
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern, said:
“Today is the day we begin to deliver our plans for the exciting next phase of Northern and each and every one of the team is focussed and determined to deliver for customers. Investment is exactly what customers wanted and we are looking forward to achieving major improvements before the end of the decade.”