Invitations to tender for new Northern and TransPennine rail franchises were issued today, two months later than originally scheduled. 

“Today’s plans include a new fleet of trains and improved services that will better connect our great northern towns and cities,” said  Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announcing publication of the invitation to tender. “Modernising rail in the north will encourage business, boost tourism and give commuters the journey they deserve; one that is fit for a 21st century metropolis.”

Critically the documents call for Pacer trains to be replaced. “These old trains have been rattling across rails in the north for over 30 years; a constant source of complaint which have held the region back,” said Clegg.

Franchisees will be required to replace the old Pacer trains, tackle overcrowding, invest in stations, accommodate 19,000 more commuters in Manchester during the morning peak, add 200 services across both franchises and increase capacity by a third.

Franchisees will also be required to tackle overcrowding, invest in stations, accommodate 19,000 more commuters in Manchester during the morning peak, add 200 services across both franchises and increase capacity by a third. “Passengers across the north will finally get a rail service that matches up to the booming economy in this region. That means more seats, more services and a brand new fleet of modern trains. Unlike the last Northern franchise in 2004, which included limited plans to invest in services or meet demand, this deal will maintain investment and grow to fit the needs of passengers for years to come,” said Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin

Chair of Rail North Sir Richard Leese said that the invitation to tender was just the start of a step change in the quality of rail services in the region. “Rail North will continue to push for greater enhancements in future years which will help deliver regional economic growth by helping people get to jobs faster, in comfort and affordably.

The invitations to tender set out the minimum level of improvements bidders hoping to secure the next franchises will need to include in their detailed proposals. Key improvements the government wants the bidders for the Northern franchise to include are:

• Removal of the existing Pacer trains
• Ordering at least 120 new-build carriages
• Modernising every train operating on the Northern franchise
• Doubling the number of services on many routes on the Northern franchise
• Providing more services for commuters, during off-peak times and on Sundays
• Investing at least £30 million to improve stations along the Northern franchise route
• Creating a Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) to invest around £13.8 million to deliver benefits for passengers
• Introducing free wi-fi on all Northern trains by 2020 at the latest

 TransPeninne Express franchise bidders will be required to:

• Introduce extra capacity for passengers through more carriages, increased frequencies or more services
• Providng earlier and later services and more services on Sundays
• Creating a CCIF to invest around £2.8 million in passenger benefits
• Considering options for new services such as links between Liverpool and Scotland, Crewe to Manchester Airport and extending Newcastle services to Edinburgh
• Working with Network Rail to ensure the electrification of the cross-Pennine Manchester to Leeds route is delivered effectively
• Introducing free wi-fi on all TransPennine Express trains by 2020 at the latest

 The ITTs were originally scheduled to be published in December with contract award due for October 2015. Franchises were then expected to begin in February 2016.