The Northern rail franchise is a subsidiary of Arriva UK Trains. Credit: Per.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram have urged the government to terminate the Northern rail franchise.

The operator has been accused of failing to deliver promised improvements, including deteriorating punctuality, poor customer service and ineffective management of services following timetable changes last year.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The two mayors stated that Northern, a subsidiary of Arriva UK Trains, has failed to deliver its legally binding franchise requirements.

They are now asking the Department for Transport to intervene and appoint a new board and directorial team to run the franchise.

Burnham said: “They promised us that things would be significantly better by May 2019 and that hasn’t happened. Train services across Greater Manchester and the north-west remain unreliable and overcrowded.

“Sunday services are still subject to widespread cancellation and promises of new rolling stock have not been kept.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Northern has admitted to lapses in standards of services but rejected the calls to surrender the franchise.

Northern managing director David Brown told The Guardian: “We agree the north deserves the best possible rail service and are working hard to improve the performance and reliability for customers.”

He added that timetable issues last year were due to delays in infrastructure projects. Since then, the franchise has made multiple improvements, including the introduction of new services.

Rail unions welcomed the mayors’ demand and have said that the franchise must be brought under public ownership.

Northern began operating the franchise in April 2016 and is slated to continue till 2025, with the option of a one-year performance-based extension.

Railway Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Railway Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
MTR Corporation and Dragages Hong Kong triumphed in three categories – Research & Development, Environmental and Safety – for their Kwu Tung Station project . Learn how this future Northern Link–East Rail Line interchange sets new benchmarks in digital construction, decarbonisation and safety management.

Discover the Impact