Rail services run by TransPennine Express will be brought under Government control

Train services run by TransPennine Express (TPE) will be brought under Government control due to ‘continuous cancellations’, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said.

The Cabinet minister has decided not to extend or renew TPE’s contract, bringing services in to the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort from May 28.

TPE passengers have suffered from widespread delays and cancellations over the past year.

The FirstGroup-owned operator, which covers an area across northern England and into Scotland, has been badly affected by drivers who are members of the Aslef union no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts.

Train services run by TransPennine Express will be brought under Government control

The FirstGroup-owned operator covers an area across northern England and into Scotland

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said he has decided not to extend or renew TPE’s contract

Latest figures show TPE cancelled the equivalent of one in six services across most of March.

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 seven-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.’

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