Calls have been made to abolish the contact extension for TransPennine Express as service cancellations have 'failed passengers' in the north of England.
In a letter signed by five mayors, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, they said that, with a decision to renew First Group's contract to run the service imminent, a 'fresh start' was needed.
The news comes just days after Burnham called for train services run by TransPennine Express to be brought under public control, with his plea backed by rail bosses.
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Between March 5 and 31, of the 7,015 services that should have operated, 982 were pre-cancelled the day before with a further 455 on the day, amounting to 1,437 cancellations - 20.5 per cent of the contracted train plan.
First Group's contract to run the service expires on 28th May, but there are suggestions that the Government is preparing to offer the company a contract extension.
In a joint letter to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, the Mayors claim that any such decision would be to 'reward failure' and 'fail passengers across the north', with overcrowding on services that do operate.
In a response, TransPennine Express said cancellations are now down by 40 per cent since their recovery plan was introduced and that the firm has been trying to secure an overtime pay deal with the ASLEF union for drivers working extra shifts.
In a joint statement, the Mayors said: “We understand that a decision is imminent on the contract for TransPennine Express. We are concerned by suggestions that First Group may be awarded a contract extension and cannot see how this can possibly be justified given the ongoing cancellations and poor service being provided.
“We have today written to the Secretary of State, as Mayors representing millions of people across the North, to reiterate our firm view that it is time for a fresh start. We stand ready to work with the Government to reshape our railways and make them work better for our regions. Moving now to an Operator of Last Resort will bring forward the change on the railways that the North desperately needs.”
A spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: “Cancellations are now down by around 40% since our recovery plan was introduced. However, in order to further substantially reduce cancellations for customers and all those who depend on the North’s connectivity, we have been trying to secure an overtime pay deal with ASLEF for drivers who wish to volunteer for additional shifts.
“Restoring overtime working for drivers at TPE will in turn, if implemented and used in the same way as before, significantly accelerate training and reduce cancellations within days of the overtime deal being enacted, which is exactly what our customers need.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Ministers have been previously clear that the recent level of service provided by TransPennine Express is unacceptable and that all options remain on the table.
“We are working closely with train operators to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and long-term solutions are put in place for passengers, including the swift recruitment and training of new drivers.”
The full letter, signed by Mayors Tracy Brabin, Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, Jamie Driscoll and Oliver Coppard read:
"Dear Secretary of State. TransPennine Express – National Rail Contract
"As you know, the current contract to operate TransPennine Express (TPE) ends in just over five weeks on 28th May, but as yet there is no indication from government on your decision for next steps for this failing service.
"We are hearing from a number of sources, government may be minded to extend the existing contract with First Group to continue to operate TPE services. We vehemently believe such a decision would be rewarding failure and be a betrayal of passengers in the North.
"For a year we have heard TPE promise services are on the verge of improvement, but performance levels remain dire. Latest statistics from the Office of Rail and Road showing almost a quarter of TPE trains were cancelled in the four weeks between February and March. We are of the unanimous view that TransPennine Express needs to start afresh under new ownership.
"We note your letter to Lord McLoughlin and are heartened that you agree that the performance of TransPennine Express has been unacceptable.
"We do, however, challenge your suggestion that the core issues facing TPE would still remain under the Operator of Last Resort. There is ample evidence - including from recent experience with Northern Rail – to show how a change of ownership can transform relations between senior management and the dedicated, hard-working frontline members of staff that keep TPE’s services running day-in, day-out.
"Transport for the North resolved at our last meeting that the only course of action is to move to a single operator for the North under Operator of Last Resort. Stabilising TPE services across the region would finally provide a stable platform upon which the long-term future of rail reform can built.
"We urge you to put the views of the passengers of the North ahead of any other considerations when making the decision on the future of TransPennine Express. Rail passengers have had enough. The Northern economy has had enough, the failure of TPE is holding us back. We need change now."
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