POLITICIANS, unions and, most importantly, long-suffering passengers had their say after much-criticised train operating company TransPennine Express was brought under government control.
After months of speculation following many more months of delays and cancellations impacting on frustrated commuters across Greater Manchester and the city region, Transport Secretary Mark Harper yesterday announced train services run by TPE would be nationalised as operator Northern was in 2020.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said TPE services would be brought under its Operator of Last Resort from May 28.
Graham Sutherland, chief executive of TransPennine Express' owners, FirstGroup, insisted the company has 'worked extremely hard to improve services, but Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said ministers had 'finally accepted they can no longer defend the indefensible!
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who previously called for a 'fresh start' for the operator alongside other northern mayors, said he was 'glad the government had listened.
This story is from the May 12, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the May 12, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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