{"id":65189,"date":"2015-12-09T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=d4d18b43f0802803ed46194863815aa9"},"modified":"2015-12-09T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-12-09T07:00:00","slug":"news-story-massive-boost-to-rail-services-across-yorkshire-and-the-humber-brings-northern-powerhouse-to-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=65189","title":{"rendered":"News story: Massive boost to rail services across Yorkshire and the Humber brings Northern Powerhouse to life"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"govspeak\">\n<div class=\"call-to-action\">\n<ul>\n<li>the government promised passengers across Yorkshire and the Humber a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality \u2013 today that is being delivered as new contracts for Northern and TransPennine Express franchises are awarded<\/li>\n<li>government announces intention to award Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Limited, and TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited<\/li>\n<li>together, these operators will oversee a massive \u00a31.2 billion boost to rail services across the north with 500 brand-new modern carriages, room for 40,000 more passengers, thousands more services and a host of improvements to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience<\/li>\n<li>improvements across Yorkshire and the Humber include more space for passengers into Leeds and Sheffield at peak times, more and better services for Bradford and Hull, and brand new trains on long-distance services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rail journeys across Yorkshire and the Humber will undergo the biggest transformation in decades, thanks to an unprecedented package of improvements being delivered in new franchise deals, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/speeches\/rail-franchising-northern-and-transpennine-express-franchises\">government announced<\/a> today (9 December 2015).<\/p>\n<p>More than 500 brand-new carriages, the removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains, room for 40,000 extra passengers at the busiest times, and more than 2,000 extra services a week will be delivered across the north.<\/p>\n<p>The government has announced it intends to award the Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Limited, and the TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited. Together they will oversee a massive \u00a31.2 billion boost to rail services with brand-new modern trains, more seats, more services and a host of improvements to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience &#8211; as well as playing a vital role in bringing the Northern Powerhouse to life, rebalancing the economy, creating jobs, opportunity and growth, and providing significantly better journeys across the region.<\/p>\n<p>As part of the government\u2019s commitment to ensure local passengers are at the heart of the rail network and devolve power to those that know their economies and customers best, the franchises will be jointly managed from Leeds by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited &#8211; which represents 29 local authorities across the north.<\/p>\n<p>Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We promised passengers across Yorkshire and the Humber a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality \u2013 and I\u2019m delighted that we have found 2 operators that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.<\/p>\n<p>In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth \u2013 today we\u2019ve put that right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and \u2013 coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital TransPennine route \u2013 will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for Yorkshire and the Humber.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Northern and TransPennine Express franchises investment in stations infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47468\/960-northern-tpe-investment-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Passengers were clear that they wanted to see a transformation including a lot more newer, better, trains running more regularly with a step change in services provided off-peak and on Sundays. They also wanted improvements to stations and changes to make ticketing easier &#8211; and thanks to all the partnership work by Rail North and the Department for Transport, that\u2019s exactly what we are able to announce today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">This is another crucial move towards devolution for the north. Rail North will now play a major role in the management and development of both new franchises, providing an excellent platform for further development and full devolution in the future. Rail North will work very closely with Transport for the North to drive forward economic growth by developing visionary proposals to deliver radically improved connectivity across the north.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Arriva Rail North Limited will run the Northern franchise \u2013 which is the second largest in the <abbr title=\"United Kingdom\">UK<\/abbr> and operates regional and commuter services across the region \u2013 from April 2016 until March 2025. The operator will oversee the complete removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacers by the end of 2019, introduce more than 2,000 extra services each week, and will invest \u00a3400 million in 281 brand new air-conditioned carriages to be rolled out across the north \u2013 more than double the minimum required in the government\u2019s invitation to tender.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Northern franchise extra capacity infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47471\/960-northern-capacity-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Across Yorkshire and the Humber, specific improvements on the Northern network include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>longer trains and more frequent services, providing space for more than 14,000 extra passengers \u2013 around 46% more capacity \u2013 into Leeds and Sheffield during the morning rush hour<\/li>\n<li>more services between Bradford and Manchester and Bradford and Leeds, and new direct links from Bradford to Wakefield, Sheffield, Nottingham, Liverpool and Manchester Airport<\/li>\n<li>more services between Harrogate and Leeds; Halifax to Manchester, and Leeds to Lancaster via Skipton<\/li>\n<li>more modern trains between Leeds and Doncaster, new electric trains serving Skipton and Ilkley, and brand new diesel trains on the Hull-Doncaster-Sheffield route<\/li>\n<li>new direct links from Bridlington and Beverley to Leeds<\/li>\n<li>a new high-quality \u2018Northern Connect\u2019 service, meaning new or refurbished trains on longer-distance services, faster journeys and stations staffed daily with catering services and free Wi-Fi at each one \u2013 as well as serving Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford, this network will also serve other destinations including Barnsley, Meadowhall, Lincoln, Doncaster, Wakefield, Todmorden, Halifax and Hebden Bridge<\/li>\n<li>extra staff brought in at more than 30 stations<\/li>\n<li>improved ticketing, including mobile and print-at-home tickets, and discounted fares for jobseekers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Chris Burchell, Managing Director of Arriva\u2019s <abbr title=\"United Kingdom\">UK<\/abbr> Trains division, said: <\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We are proud to be given the opportunity to transform rail travel for passengers in the north of England and to work closely with our partners to connect towns, cities and communities like never before.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">We will be investing more than \u00a31 billion to deliver a step-change in quality for customers and dramatically improving services, stations, information and ticketing. Our aim is to be the communities\u2019 local railway and to leave a positive lasting legacy for the north of England.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Northern franchise jobs, skills and apprenticeships infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47473\/960-northern-jobs-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>First Trans Pennine Express Limited will operate services on the TransPennine Express franchise \u2013 which runs intercity services across the region and into Scotland \u2013 from April 2016 until March 2023. They will bring in 220 new carriages, equivalent to 44 trains, providing fast 125 <abbr title=\"miles per hour\">mph<\/abbr> services across the network, as well as introducing in Yorkshire and the Humber:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>more than 4,000 more seats on Leeds and Sheffield services \u2013 an overall increase of 61% &#8211; during the morning rush hour<\/li>\n<li>longer, brand new trains on services between Scarborough, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool<\/li>\n<li>extra services between Leeds and Hull, including at weekends<\/li>\n<li>more services from Newcastle to York, Leeds and Manchester<\/li>\n<li>improved passenger facilities including extra shops, better ticket offices, parcel collection lockers and disabled car park spaces at Hull station, backed by \u00a31.4 million investment, in time for <abbr title=\"United Kingdom\">UK<\/abbr> City of Culture in 2017; plus improvements at Grimsby Town, Cleethorpes and Selby stations<\/li>\n<li>discounted advance fares for 16- to 18-year-olds and jobseekers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TransPennine Express extra seats infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47472\/960-tpe-seats-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Tim O\u2019Toole, chief executive of FirstGroup, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Our new TransPennine Express franchise will deliver faster and more frequent intercity train services between the north\u2019s major towns and cities and we are excited to help the government achieve its vision for a Northern Powerhouse. Our plans include investment in new and refurbished trains on every part of the network, with millions more seats available, free Wi-Fi and simpler smart and mobile ticketing, allowing us to build on the success we have had over the past 11 years, in which we have more than doubled passenger journeys on the network.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">We will work with local authorities, customers and community groups to give them a real stake in the future of their intercity rail travel. The new TransPennine Express will connect the north and keep people moving and communities prospering across the region.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TransPennine Express franchise jobs, skills and apprenticeships infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47474\/960-tpe-jobs-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Both operators will provide free Wi-Fi \u2013 on TransPennine Express services and stations by July 2018, and on all Northern services and 36 stations by December 2019 \u2013 with media servers on trains providing entertainment and information to smartphones and tablets. The operators will also be expected to meet challenging targets to improve customer satisfaction and reduce cancellations and short-formations, and to introduce automatic delay repay compensation for passengers who buy season and advance-purchase tickets online. They will also make \u00a355 million of much-needed investment in stations to bring them into the 21st century.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Northern and TransPennine Express franchises Wi-Fi infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47470\/960-northern-tpe-smart-device-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>During the franchises, the government and Network Rail will also forge ahead with electrification of the TransPennine line to deliver faster journey times and significantly more capacity. Network Rail is currently developing a detailed plan for the work which, when finished, will provide a fully electrified route between Liverpool and Newcastle. The work is expected to be completed in 2022. In addition, 3 new stations in Leeds and Bradford \u2013 Apperley Bridge, Kirkstall Forge and Low Moor \u2013 will benefit from new services. The operators will also support the roll out of Oyster-style smart ticketing on public transport across the north, backed by \u00a3150 million of government funding.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image embedded\">\n<div class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Northern and TransPennine Express franchises automatic compensation for delays infographic.\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/image_data\/file\/47469\/960-northern-tpe-compensation-infographic.jpg\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The deal will also mean significant returns to government and better value for the taxpayer. The government will receive \u00a3400 million in premiums from First Trans Pennine Express Limited over the life of the franchise; previously, the franchise was subsidised by the government. The amount of annual subsidy the government pays for the Northern franchise will be reduced by \u00a3140 million by the end of the 9-year contract.<\/p>\n<p>Following the announcement, and in accordance with usual procurement practice, there will be a standstill period of 10 days before the department will be in a position to enter into, and complete, the formal contractual documentation and make the award to Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"related-documents\">Related documents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/maps.dft.gov.uk\/northern\/index.html\">Northern franchise interactive map of improvements and benefits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/maps.dft.gov.uk\/transpennine-express\/index.html\">TransPennine Express franchise interactive map of improvements and benefits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/assets.dft.gov.uk\/northern-tpe-franchise\/index.html\">Northern and TransPennine Express franchises interactive timeline<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/transportgovuk\/23530589801\/\">full size Northern franchise jobs, skills and apprenticeships infographic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/transportgovuk\/23530589401\/\">full size TransPennine Express franchise jobs, skills and apprenticeships infographic<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/speeches\/rail-franchising-northern-and-transpennine-express-franchises\">Northern and TransPennine Express rail franchising written ministerial statement<\/a>, 9 December 2015<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/massive-boost-to-rail-services-brings-northern-powerhouse-to-life\">Massive boost to rail services brings Northern Powerhouse to life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/massive-boost-to-rail-services-in-the-north-east-brings-northern-powerhouse-to-life\">Massive boost to rail services in the north-east brings Northern Powerhouse to life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/massive-boost-to-rail-services-in-the-north-west-brings-northern-powerhouse-to-life\">Massive boost to rail services in the north-west brings Northern Powerhouse to life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/boost-to-rail-services-in-scotland-as-uk-government-awards-next-transpennine-express-franchise\">Boost to rail services in Scotland as <abbr title=\"United Kingdom\">UK<\/abbr> government awards next TransPennine Express franchise<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"contact \" id=\"contact_1019\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<h3>Rail media enquiries<\/h3>\n<div class=\"vcard contact-inner\">\n<div class=\"email-url-number\">\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">Press enquiries<\/span><br \/>\n              020 7944 3108\n            <\/p>\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">Out of hours<\/span><br \/>\n              020 7944 4292\n            <\/p>\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">Public enquiries<\/span><br \/>\n              0300 330 3000\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Government intends to award Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Ltd, and TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Ltd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65189"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=65189"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65226,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65189\/revisions\/65226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}