Services run by rail operator TransPennine Express will be taken under public control after a long period of 鈥渃ontinuous cancellations鈥, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said.
The Cabinet minister has decided not to extend or renew TransPennine鈥檚 contract, bringing services in to the Department for Transport鈥檚 Operator of Last Resort from May 28.
The company鈥檚 passengers have suffered from widespread delays and cancellations over the past year. The operator has faced strong criticism, especially from Labour mayors in the North, over the quality of its service. It now joins the Northern and East Coast franchises in being operated by a Government-controlled body.
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The FirstGroup-owned operator, which covers an area across northern England and into Scotland, has been badly affected by drivers who are members of the Aslef union no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts. Latest figures show TransPennine cancelled the equivalent of one in six services across most of March.
Mr Harper said: 鈥淚n 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鈥檝e made the decision to bring TransPennine Express into Operator of Last Resort.
鈥淭his is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced, including Aslef鈥檚 actions which are preventing TransPennine Express from being able to run a full service 鈥 once again highlighting why it鈥檚 so important that the railways move to a seven-day working week.
鈥淲e have played our part but Aslef now need to play theirs by calling off strikes and the rest day working ban, putting the very fair and reasonable pay offer to a democratic vote of their members.鈥
Graham Sutherland, chief executive of TransPennine Express owner FirstGroup, said: 鈥淲e have operated TransPennine Express and its forerunners since 2004, and are very proud to have served the communities across northern England and into Scotland, carrying millions of passengers and introducing new trains, new routes and more seats for our customers.
鈥淥ur team have worked extremely hard to improve services, including by recruiting and training more drivers than ever before.
鈥淲e have also worked closely with the Department for Transport and Transport for the North on an agreed recovery plan as well as an improved offer on overtime working for our drivers.
鈥淔irstGroup is a leading 海角视频 rail operator with a strong and diversified portfolio. Today鈥檚 decision does not alter our belief in the important role of private rail operators in the delivery of vital, environmentally-friendly transport for customers and communities across the 海角视频.鈥
But West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said: 鈥淚t is absolutely right that this is the end of the line for failing railway operator TransPennine Express.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been urging government to act for almost a year, as delays and cancellations have damaged our economy and subjected commuters in the North to sheer misery.
鈥淭his is a victory for northern mayors who rallied together to hold TransPennine Express and Rishi Sunak鈥檚 Government to account on this issue.
鈥淲e hope this allows an opportunity to reset relationships with staff who have bore the brunt of operator failings and look forward to hearing how the new operator intends to improve services.
鈥淎s the voice of passengers, I will continue to speak up for their interests first and foremost.鈥
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