The Transport Secretary has this morning announced that the TransPennine Express franchise will not be renewed.

The Operator of Last Resort has been drafted in and will take over the running of the TPE network from the 28th May 2023.

The decision comes after months of disruption for TransPennine Express passengers, which has seen a decline in confidence for passengers who rely on the TPE network to get to work, see family etc.

The Department for Transport bas worked with TPE to improve services, including a recovery plan in February. Whilst some improvements have been seen in the past few months, it has been decided that to see performance levels that passengers deserve, the franchise needs a reset.

The Department for Transport recognises that some of the problems are matters that are out of its control, including a backlog of training for drivers, as well as ASLEF’s decision to withdraw rest-day working.

The DfT has also confirmed that its decision to bring it under government-control and with the OLR is only temporary and there is a full intention to return it to the private sector.

No changes to timetables, services or tickets will be seen under the Operator of Last Resort.

The Government has been drafted in before, taking over the Northern network as well as the then Virgin Trains East Coast network (now LNER)

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “In my time as Transport Secretary, I have been clear that passenger experience must always come first. After months of commuters and Northern businesses bearing the brunt of continuous cancellations, I’ve made the decision to bring Transpennine Express into Operator of Last Resort.

“This is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced, including ASLEF’s actions which are preventing Transpennine Express from being able to run a full service – once again highlighting why it’s so important that the railways move to a seven-day working week.

“We have played our part, but ASLEF now need to play theirs by calling off strikes and the rest day working ban, and putting the very fair and reasonable pay offer to a democratic vote of their members.”

Reacting to the Government’s decision to bring TransPennine Express services under government control, Transport Committee Chair Iain Stewart MP said: “Stripping TransPennine Express of its contract is absolutely the right call. The Rail Minister told us in January that the company’s record was ‘unacceptable’, and there was no realistic expectation it would improve, unlike with Avanti where demonstrable progress was being made. We also heard about extensive use of so-called ‘p-coding’ – where if a service was removed from the timetable as late as 10pm the evening before it wouldn’t appear in the cancellations data.

“A range of factors were at play – TPE was among train operators who failed to recruit enough drivers during and after the pandemic, despite having their revenue guaranteed by the Department for Transport and knowing they have an ageing workforce. Upgrades to railway lines have also caused disruption. The change of management won’t resolve all of these problems overnight, and a deal needs to be reached with the union Aslef on rest-day working, pay and conditions. I will be asking for details about how the Department plans to deliver the better service that passengers deserve.

“Commuters in the north can now hope for gradual improvements but a lot of work will be needed to get services back on track.”

The RMT’s General Secretary said “First should now also lose its failed Avanti West Coast contract as part a return of all our railways to public ownership.

“With other parts of our railway already nationalised this decision should now mark the beginning of end for rail privatisation which has brought nothing but chaos for passengers.

“However, it is disappointing to hear Transport Secretary Mark Harper saying that he intends to return TPE to the private sector despite the shambles the service has become,” he said.

Commenting on Transport Secretary Mark Harper’s announcement that Transpennine Express’ contract will not be renewed at the end of this month, Andy Bagnall, Chief Executive of Rail Partners, said: ‘The decision not to extend TPE’s contract is very disappointing. Passengers need reliable services, but the operator’s issues were complex and largely beyond their control, especially in the context of industrial relations.

‘It is essential that the Secretary of State delivers on his promise to return this contract to the private sector, which needs to be done at pace to secure the benefits that competitive tendering and private sector innovation deliver for customers and taxpayers.’