Northern (train operating company)

Northern (train operating company)
GerriitJan · CC0 · source
Name	Northern
Founded	1 April 2016
Headquarters	York
Service area	Northern England; Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire
Key people	Chris Jackson (interim), Mark Carne (former)
Parent	Department for Transport
Website	Northern

Northern (train operating company) is a passenger train operator serving large parts of Northern England, with operations focused on commuter, regional and inter-city routes across Yorkshire, Lancashire and the North West. Operating from 2016 under a public-sector management model, it inherited services previously run by private operators and interfaces with bodies including Network Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Rail Delivery Group. The company has been notable for its extensive network, rolling stock challenges, industrial disputes and subsequent government intervention.

History

Northern commenced operation on 1 April 2016 following a transfer of the former franchise held by Arriva and operators such as FirstGroup and Stagecoach Group having previously competed in the region. The launch followed curtailed bids after the collapse of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition and reforms to the UK rail franchising model overseen by the Department for Transport. Early years involved integrating services from franchises including Northern Rail and coordinating with metropolitan authorities such as Merseytravel and Tees Valley Combined Authority. The operator faced rolling stock shortages traced to delayed deliveries by manufacturers like Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi and contractual disputes linked to the British Transport Police workforce and RMT industrial action. Widespread timetable alterations in 2018 prompted political scrutiny from figures including Chris Grayling and Rishi Sunak's predecessors at the DfT. Following performance concerns, operational control moved toward direct public ownership with increased oversight by ministers in Whitehall.

Network and Services

Northern's network covers rural and urban corridors, operating on routes connecting hubs such as Manchester Victoria, Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Hull Paragon Interchange, and Blackpool North. Services include frequent commuter lines in the Greater Manchester conurbation coordinated with Transport for Greater Manchester and long-distance regional routes to Scotland via Carlisle and cross-Yorkshire links via Huddersfield and Doncaster. Interchanges integrate with tram systems like Metrolink (Manchester) and ferry terminals served by Mersey Ferries. The timetable portfolio spans local stopping services on lines such as the Cumbrian Coast Line, inter-urban flows on the Hope Valley Line and rural connections to towns like Beverley and Workington. Ticketing and service planning are influenced by partnerships with authorities including South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and West Yorkshire Metro.

Fleet and Rolling Stock

The fleet initially comprised multiple diesel multiple units and electric multiple units inherited from predecessor operators, including classes built by Alstom, Bombardier Transportation, CAF, and Siemens. Notable types include Class 142 Pacer units (phased out), Class 150, Class 156, Class 158, Class 319 converted units, Class 331 by CAF, and Class 195 diesel units by CAF. The introduction of new units was affected by manufacturing delays and certification with bodies such as the Office of Rail and Road and Rail Safety and Standards Board. Maintenance and depot allocation involved facilities like Heaton TMD, Newton Heath Depot, and Leeds Neville Hill Depot. Fleet modernisation programmes addressed accessibility standards under statutes like the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations and aimed to replace life-expired units including the Pacer family originally built for British Rail.

Performance and Incidents

Performance metrics reported to the Office of Rail and Road and public dashboards highlighted punctuality and reliability challenges, with notable declines during major timetable revisions in May 2018 and winter weather disruptions affecting routes such as the Settle–Carlisle Line and Cumbrian Coast Line. High-profile incidents involved mechanical failures, signalling conflicts on routes controlled from centres like York Integrated Electronic Control Centre and industrial disputes with unions including the RMT and ASLEF. Safety investigations by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch examined events ranging from level crossing occurrences to rolling stock faults. Customer experience issues prompted interventions by politicians representing constituencies such as Sheffield Central, Leeds North West, and Manchester Central and recommendations by watchdogs including Transport Focus.

Management and Ownership

Initially operated under a public-private franchising framework awarded by the DfT, operational difficulties led to increased ministerial oversight and eventual public-sector management arrangements. Governance involved board appointees with backgrounds in transport infrastructure, partly accountable to ministers in Westminster and regional combined authorities. Operational partnerships with infrastructure owner Network Rail and procurement relationships with manufacturers and leasing companies such as Angel Trains and ROSCOs shaped capital expenditure. Senior management turnover included executives with prior roles at organisations like Northern Rail, FirstGroup, and Arriva UK Trains.

Future Plans and Franchise Changes

Plans for future service improvements have been tied to strategic programmes such as the Northern Powerhouse transport agenda, electrification projects on routes including the Leeds–Manchester railway and infrastructure enhancements funded through allocations announced by successive Chancellors of the Exchequer and Secretaries of State for Transport. Proposals for devolved rail franchises involve negotiations with combined authorities including Transport for Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Merseyside partners, as well as potential re-tendering or permanent public franchising measures debated in Parliament. Rolling stock renewal continues via orders from manufacturers such as CAF and Stadler and depot upgrades at sites like Newton Heath Depot. Strategic reviews by the DfT and policy discussions following reviews like the Williams Rail Review will influence delivery, regulatory oversight, and the longer-term franchise model for Northern services.

Category:Rail transport in Northern England