Train firm TransPennine Express will not have its contract renewed or extended, said the Government, after months of disruption and cancellations for passengers.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced this morning that the firm will become an Operator of Last Resort from May 28.
This means that the franchise will be operated on behalf of the Government.
A statement said: “Months of significant disruption and regular cancellations across TransPennine Express’s network has resulted in a considerable decline in confidence for passengers who rely on the trains.
“Alongside the train operating company, the department has taken steps to improve services, putting the operator on a recovery plan in February and meeting with local mayors to discuss a way forward.
“While some improvements have been made over the past few months, it has been decided that to achieve the performance levels passengers deserve, and that the Northern economy needs, both the contract and the underlying relationships must be reset.”
TransPennine operates a service from Carlisle to Manchester.
However, it added that many of the firm’s problems stemmed from matters out of its control, including a recruitment and training backlog.
It said: “The decision to bring TransPennine Express into the control of the Operator of Last Resort is temporary and it is the Government’s full intention that it will return to the private sector.”
