Britain’s Government intends to award Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Ltd, and TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Ltd.
Together, these operators will oversee a massive £1.2 billion boost to rail services with 500 brand-new modern carriages, room for 40,000 more passengers, thousands more services and a host of improvements.
Arriva Rail North will run the Northern franchise from April 2016 until March 2025. The operator will oversee the complete removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacers by the end of 2019, and will invest £400 million in 281 brand new air-conditioned carriages – more than double the minimum required in the government’s invitation to tender.
First Trans Pennine Express will operate services on the TransPennine Express franchise – which runs intercity services across the region and into Scotland – from April 2016 until March 2023. They will bring in 220 new carriages, equivalent to 44 trains and worth more than £400 million, providing fast 125 mph services across the network.
Both operators will provide free Wi-Fi – on TransPennine Express services and stations by July 2018, and on all Northern services and 36 stations by December 2019 – with media servers on trains providing entertainment and information to smartphones and tablets. They will also make £55 million of much-needed investment in stations.
‘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 – coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital TransPennine route – will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for the north,’ Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said.
Share on:
