TransPennine Express brought under government control due to ‘continuous cancellations’

Train services run by TransPennine Express will be brought under government control from the end of the month due to “continuous cancellations”. Transport secretary Mark Harper made the announcement today that the company’s contract will not be renewed or extended. Under ‘operator of last resort’ there will be “no changes to tickets, timetables or planned services” when it comes into effect on May 28. The decision by the Department for Transport follows months of significant disruption and regular cancellations across Transpennine Express’s network, which the government says “has resulted in a considerable decline in confidence for passengers who rely on the trains to get to work, visit family and friends and go about their daily lives”. Read more: Four historic Hull buildings set to be transformed In a statement, Mr Harper said: “In 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’ve made the decision to bring Transpennine Express into operator of last resort. “This is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced, including ASLEF’s actions which are preventing Transpennine Express from being able to run a full service – once again highlighting why it’s so important that the railways move to a 7-day working week. “We 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.” The Department for Transport said that while “some improveme
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