TransPennine Express (TPE) has just become the second operator of trains serving Greater Manchester to be brought under government control after months of poor performance. It was a decision welcomed by leaders and residents across the north after consistent disruption had left travellers regularly frustrated.
The Department for Transport has said TPE's contract will not be renewed at the end of May. It follows Northern Rail being brought under government control early in 2020, after what then transport secretary Grant Shapps described as 'unacceptable' performance.
TPE's services connect commuters travelling between Northern cities and towns. The operator losing its franchise comes months after Mayors from across the north - including Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham, West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin, and Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool’s city region - called for the services it ran to be brought under public control as last minute cancellations continued to mount.
