"Decisive action" over TransPennine Express (TPE) has been called for by a group of Manchester business leaders as they voiced their "deep concern" over its "ongoing, unacceptable performance and the impact it is having on the region's economy".
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper, the 12-strong group said TPE's operations are "not even approaching an adequate service".
TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast have faced calls for their contracts to be axed due to their performance.