With the Northern Rail and TransPennine franchise tenders imminent the Campaign for Better Transport and Greengage 21 set out the case for service improvements moving forwards.

Their report “Rail in the North – Stepping Stones to a Rebalanced Britain” calls for a series of measures to be implemented over the next 5-10 years towards ensuring future high speed services. 

“The ITT needs to set the tone for service improvements and reject the minimum cost approach that has prevailed,” explains John Jarvis, associate director at Greengauge 21.

“Evidence shows that when better rolling stock is added it is quickly absorbed. On the TransPennine franchise new Class 185 trains were added in 2006 increasing capacity by a third. But by as early as 2008 they were experiencing overcrowding again and needing more carriages." John Jarvis Greengauge 21.

Among the recommendations in the report is the need to devolve planning, modernise rolling stock, improve stations, reform fares and transform customer experience.

“Over the last 10 years customer demand increased by 150 percent into Leeds and Huddersfield, almost doubled into places like Bolton and Sheffield and increased by 60 percent into Newcastle. This compares to 50 percent nationally. So there has been very significant growth in rail and the question now is ‘how does the franchise cater for future growth’?” he says.

Expectations from the government’s Autumn statement are that franchisees will be expected to deliver at least a 20 percent capacity increase. “That is good news but evidence in our report suggests that demand growth will rapidly eat up that increase,” says Jarvis. 

Government has committed to introducing new rolling stock and replacing the diesel Pacers that dominate the regional railway. 

“Evidence shows that when better rolling stock is added it is quickly absorbed. On the TransPennine franchise new Class 185 trains were added in 2006 increasing capacity by a third. But by as early as 2008 they were experiencing overcrowding again and needing more carriages,” says Jarvis. 

“The rolling stock plan for the new Northern franchise needs to address the pressing current and future needs for additional capacity, refurbishment options as well as the approach to Pacers,” says Jarvis.

Further electrification, as is underway through the Northern Hub scheme, and station capacity increases are also important says Jarvis. 

The invitation to tender (ITT) was scheduled to be published by the Department for Transport in December 2014 but this has been delayed and a new date has not been confirmed although it is understood to be imminent. 

Read the full report here