After months of delays and cancellations TransPennine Express has been brought under government control. Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced this morning (Thurs) that the train operator's contract has not been renewed or extended, with services to be brought in to the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort (OLR) from May 28.
The FirstGroup-owned operator, which run trains across northern England and into Scotland, has been badly affected by drivers who are members of the Aslef union no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts. Latest figures showed TPE cancelled the equivalent of one in six services across most of March.
Mr Harper said: "In my time as Transport Secretary, I have been clear that passenger experience must always come first. After months of commuters and northern businesses bearing the brunt of continuous cancellations, I've made the decision to bring TransPennine Express into Operator of Last Resort."
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But what does the decision mean for long-suffering passengers? Here we answer some of the key questions...
Tickets
Passengers should continue using tickets in the usual way, with all tickets are still valid for the dates shown. Tickets booked for travel after May 28 will also remain valid.
Passengers can also still use travel vouchers issued for refunds.
Fares
The DfT says there will be no changes to ticket prices as a result of nationalisation, with prices set using the same process as before.
Railcards
Railcards will continue to be accepted on TPE services.
Compensation for delays
The Department for Transport says passengers can claim compensation for delays from TPE until May 28. After that date compensation claims should be made to TransPennine Trains Ltd - the new government owned company set up to take over the service.
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