Dozens more rail services have been cancelled today by one of the North's under-fire train operators. TransPennine Express announced late last night that 34 services would be cancelled in full today (December 6).
A further 12 services are only running for part of their usual journeys. They are the latest in a string of cancellations or changes to be announced by the company overnight, with more than 1,000 services affected in this way since November 2.
However, a 'loophole' means such changes do not have to be reported in official performance figures, because they were announced before 10pm on the previous day. Passengers in Manchester are affected by several of the cancellations and changes today.
READ MORE: Lidl shut as forensics investigate with police cordon in place around store
Services axed today include trains between the city and Liverpool, Newcastle, Hull, Cleethorpes and York. A full list of services cancelled or amended overnight can be found here.
TransPennine Express is also warning that further services could be cancelled or amended throughout the day, at short notice. Transport secretary Mark Harper told the Manchester Evening News last week that performance at TransPennine Express is being closely monitored, with the franchise up for renewal next year.
He said: "If I make decisions about awarding contracts I've got to do those based on the evidence and they've got to be well thought through, reasoned decisions that will stand up to legal challenge." Bruce Williamson, of passenger group Railfuture, told the Northern Agenda he had concerns about the way TransPennine Express was cancelling services late on the night before they were due to run.
"It looks like they are exploiting a loophole on this," he said. "Last-minute cancellations should be included in performance targets.
“We are concerned with the level of service generally and the reliability of service. It impacts on the passenger and the passenger has a reasonable expectation that they can catch a train and it will take them where they want to go.
“These cancellations also have an impact on the long-term credibility of the rail service.” TransPennine Express says the cancellations and changes are due to 'higher-than-normal sickness levels' and issues including a 'training backlog' due to the covid pandemic.
A spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: "Prior to December 2021 TransPennine Express (TPE) had posted its best ever performance results, and was subsequently recognised as “Train Operator of the Year” at the Rail Business Awards. Since then, prolonged disruption affecting our services has been caused by a range of issues including ongoing high levels of train crew sickness, a persisting training backlog as a direct result of Covid, and infrastructure issues outside of TPE’s control.
"Combined, these factors have seen a number of on-the-day or ‘evening before’ cancellations being made. In normal circumstances, we have enough people to fully operate our scheduled timetable – and have more drivers now than ever before – however the combination of factors has put unprecedented pressure on our ability to effectively operate our services.
"Our customers want, and deserve, reliable and punctual train services, and we are sorry have not been able to consistently provide that due to the ongoing issues. TPE’s team continues to work flat-out to deliver higher levels of service delivery and to tackle the issues that are being experienced by customers."
READ NEXT:
-
Man charged with rape after police called to break-in at woman's apartment
-
Drunk mum beat up her ex-boyfriend after spotting him in the pub with another woman
-
Ambitious three-storey restaurant confirmed inside 'destination' hotel in Manchester
-
Mum and son 'traumatised' after Nissan spray painted with 'MOVE' in parking row
