'New beginning' hoped for Northern commuters across Greater Manchester
The Transport Secretary has been in Newton Heath, promising change for Northern rail passengers, as the government takes over the franchise.
Last updated 2nd Mar 2020
It's hoped today will be the start of better train journeys for Northern commuters in Greater Manchester
It's the first working day where the train company is under government control after months of delayed services and upgrades
The Government's Operator of Last Resort (OLR) took over from Arriva-owned Northern on Sunday.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claims the aim of the change is to provide services that passengers can "truly rely on''.
"Today marks the beginning of rebuilding of trust"
Northern received the lowest overall score of all train companies in the latest major survey by watchdog Transport Focus.
Just 72% of passengers were satisfied with their journey.
Office of Rail and Road figures show only 55% of Northern trains arrived at stations within one minute of the timetable in the 12 months to February 1, compared with the average across Britain of 65%.
The chaotic introduction of new timetables in May 2018 saw hundreds of Northern trains cancelled each day.
A panel created to advise the operator includes Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake, passenger representatives and rail industry bosses.
It will be led by Richard George, chairman of the public sector operator.
The Department for Transport said overcrowding will be a "priority focus for improvement''.
It plans to extend platforms at 30 stations to accommodate longer trains, and is trialling new technology to identify crowding pinch points.
Mr Shapps said: "This is a new era for rail in the North, but there will be no quick fix for the network as we build solutions for the future.
"Today marks the beginning of rebuilding of trust in these services, and voices from the region will be essential as we work together to understand and deliver the improvements passengers need.''
Transport Focus director David Sidebottom said travellers have suffered "years of misery'' as he called for "much-needed investment in infrastructure''.
A campaign demanding that the operation of Northern Trains services remains in public hands will be launched by rail union RMT, passenger groups and politicians on Monday.
Demonstrations have been held at Manchester Victoria and Wigan stations this morning to send a message to the Government that the private franchise model is "broken'' and must be replaced by an integrated, publicly owned railway from top to bottom.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "This has to be a permanent move followed up with the investment and planning needed to deliver the rail services that passengers deserve after years of privatised chaos.''
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