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Rail transformation journey
begins as Arriva launches new Northern franchise
RAIL passengers across the North will
soon benefit from new trains, a 37% increase in peak time capacity and revamped
ticketing as Arriva launches the new look Northern rail franchise.
1 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.
Merseyside will see improvements to trains and the network thanks to the new
franchise. By 2019, brand new 100mph trains operating a network of fast:-
'Northern Connect' services will connect Liverpool to Bradford, Manchester, Manchester
Airport and Leeds.
From 2017, a brand new hourly service will run from Chester and Warrington to
Manchester, Bradford and Leeds, while existing services will also be improved
with earlier and later services available on many routes.
By 2019, Liverpool commuters will benefit from a 6% increase in peak time
capacity.
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 9 years, Arriva's plans include:
► New and refurbished trains:- Within 3 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% 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%
increase in peak time capacity within the next 3 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. Passengers in Merseyside can expect to see improvements to
both trains and the network. Brand new 100mph trains will operate across the
network by 2019, including on the routes from Liverpool to Bradford, Manchester,
Manchester Airport and Leeds. Liverpool commuters will also benefit from a 6% increase in peak time capacity by 2019.
The journey towards a complete transformation in services for customers in the
North starts now. Throughout the term of the franchise we will be injecting a
multi million pound investment to deliver a step change in quality and are
excited to now have the opportunity to start delivering on our promises to
passengers.
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.
Our ambitious plans would not be possible without the 5,000 staff who join the
Arriva family today. We value the experience and expertise they bring as we link
cities and communities across the North like never before."
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 1 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."
Sir Richard Leese, Chairman of Rail North, added:- "Today marks the start
of better rail services for the North and of much greater local control over the
development of these services.
Passengers and businesses told us that they wanted less crowded trains, faster
and more frequent services that start earlier and finish later and more
opportunities to travel on Sundays. The new Northern franchise will exceed these
requirements, with the unpopular Pacer trains consigned to the scrapheap by
October 2019, 281 brand new carriages, substantial investment in station
improvements and a real focus on involving local communities in the railway.
The new franchise tangibly demonstrates the real benefit of devolution of power
to the North. Rail North Limited played a key role in specifying tender
requirements and evaluating bids leading to the award of the franchise and will
now be responsible through the Rail North / DfT Partnership team for the
management and development of services from their office in Leeds.
Rail North Limited will continue to 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." |
