A train operator will cancel more than 23,000 services this year if reliability continues at its current levels, new analysis reveals as the mayor of Greater Manchester called for urgent 'change' and rail fares rise.
The figure for under-fire TransPennine Express (TPE) was released by West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin, who urged the Government to 'get a grip' as the annual conference of Transport for the North (TfN) started in Newcastle today, Monday. The Manchester Evening News revealed TPE cancelled almost a quarter of all its trains in a month, including more than 1,000 the night before they were due to run.
The operator, which has now revealed a 'recovery plan' has been submitted to the Government, ranked the highest of all train operating companies in terms of cancellations by some distance in the figures published by rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The data showed TPE cancelled 1,781 services during the most recent four-week reporting period to February 4.
