TOCs - Page 16

TransPennine Express planning a three-phase improvement to its services, with the first - a sixth hourly Manchester-Leeds service - starting in December 2017.

Plans for smart ticketing and improved connectivity

Process for transfer of Manchester and Blackpool North, Barrow and Windermere services to new Northern franchise from April 1 begins.

The new Northern and TransPennine Express franchise proposals “were subjected to a financial robustness test, and considered low-risk by the DfT”.

Cost of staff for Northern and TPE franchise bids revealed

Rising passenger numbers and a new fleet might make PETER STRACHAN’s job a dream. But there have been troubled nights as well, as he reveals to RICHARD CLINNICK

The cost of procuring the TransPennine Express franchise (to the end of November 2015) was £6.9m, with a further £0.6m to come.

The cost to Government of the recently completed Northern rail franchise procurement process, to the end of November 2015, was £8.0 million.

The Department for Transport awards 11 companies Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Passports, in effort to make it easier and faster to bid for franchises.

A trial Sleeper service will run to Oban next year, as Caledonian Sleeper looks to develop its existing operations.