New Rail Franchise deals bring Northern train Improvement Promise

The Northern Rail franchise is being awarded to Arriva Rail North Ltd, while TransPennine Express is going to First Trans Pennine Express Ltd. 

Pacer trains

The Department for Transport said the deals would see the introduction of 500 new carriages.

Sir Richard Branson comment " Network Rail 'too big',

Many of the delays that passengers on Virgin Rail suffer are down to Network Rail, he said.

"Network Rail is far too big a company," he said. "I think that companies that kind of size should be broken up into small units."

 

Network Rail said decisions on its future would be taken by the government.

Investment delays