‘Unstable’ rail links in northern England are being caused by a ‘toxic combination’ of problems, MPs have heard.
Thousands of trains have been canceled at short notice in recent months, including the TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast and Northern.
Transport Focus’ Anthony Smith told the Transport Select Committee that people chose to drive because of disruptions.
Lord McLoughlin, chairman of Transport for the North, added there had been a “total disappointment” for rail travellers.
He said railway companies had to deal with “unreliable services”.
Anthony Smith was asked by the Transport Select Committee why operators in the north of England are struggling compared to those in other parts of the UK.
“It’s a pretty toxic combination that’s different for every company,” he replied.
“I think the problems at Avanti probably date back to the days of Virgin – the previous franchise – and the winding up of that franchise.
“Then Covid came along and made driver training difficult.
“I understand these are some of the issues that led to the thinning of the schedule.”
He added: “Relationships between staff and management do not appear to be good and need to be reset in some way.”
Lord McLoughlin, chairman of Transport for the North, which advises the government on the region’s transport needs, also gave testimony to MPs.
He said: “One of the most important things for people who want to use the train is reliability and knowing that the service they want to use will be there.
“This is the biggest problem that companies have to deal with.
“There was a total disappointment with unreliable services, not being able to get tickets, not knowing if the services will be up and getting that information out as well.”
Avanti West Coast, which cut its schedules in August to limit last-minute cancellations, resumed some of the lost services in new schedules introduced on Sunday.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper claimed it was “for unions to decide” whether they want rail services to improve in the north of England.
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In a written statement to Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary said he had given TransPennine Express and Northern “the leeway they need to make a meaningful and generous” offer for rest days to drivers’ union Aslef.
He wrote: “Aslef must enter into negotiations and present a new deal to its members and, if accepted, do whatever it takes to make that deal work.
“TransPennine made Aslef a generous revised offer and it was almost immediately rejected without being put to the members.
“It’s up to the unions to decide whether they want to improve services for the benefit of passengers and the wider economy in the North.”
Mr Harper said he was in favor of “breaking the railroad’s reliance on rest day work altogether”.
He added: “No modern and successful company relies on the good will of its employees to deliver for its customers in the evenings and at weekends.
“I want a railroad with rewarding jobs that are contractually bound to deliver all the services promised to the public.”
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