The Northern Rail franchise is being awarded to Arriva Rail North Ltd, while TransPennine Express is going to First Trans Pennine Express Ltd.
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| Pacer trains |
The Department for Transport said the deals would see the introduction of 500 new carriages.
The outdated and unpopular Pacer trains would also be phased out.
Trains
would have room for 40,000 extra passengers at the busiest times, and
more than 2,000 extra services a week would be delivered, the DfT said.
The two train operators will oversee £1.2bn of investment into the railways, according to the announcement.
Transport
Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the plans would help deliver a "world
class rail service" as part of the government's Northern Powerhouse
project.
"As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south," he said.
"This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life."
Other promises in the announcement include:
- Free wi-fi on TransPennine Express services and stations by July 2018, and on Northern Rail services and 36 stations by December 2019
- £55m of investment to improve stations
- A new direct Liverpool to Glasgow service from December 2018
- Additional services from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh from December 2017
- Doubling the number of Manchester to Newcastle services, and running more daily services to Hull from Manchester and Leeds, both from December 2017
Mr McLoughlin added: "Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans
Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting,
ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers.
"Coupled
with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital
TransPennine route, [they] will help the region realise its full
economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st Century transport
system."
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