Issue - meetings

To consider the Transpennine Trains review.

Lead: Chris Jackson

4.1          The Chair introduced the item and acknowledged the difficult task that Mr Jackson and his team have inherited in order to improve the organisation, and he noted that they are getting to grips with the difficult issues.  Whilst recognising the situation that they are taking over he referred to the difficulties that  people of the North have been experiencing over a number of years with the railways.  He stated that whilst the Committee is supportive of what they are trying to achieve he sought reassurances that any changes made in order to help them secure improvements will not turn into permanent service reductions or deterioration in service permanently. 

4.2          Members received the presentation from Mr Chris Jackson who highlighted the key points within his presentation.

4.3          The Chair expressed on behalf of the Committee his appreciation to Mr Jackson for his openness and stated that the logic for what they are trying to do is clear.  He believed that the presentation justified the call from the Committee to place TPE into operator of last resort measures.

The Chair sought a guarantee that any services temporarily removed will be replaced by the December 2024 timetable change.

4.4          Mayor Driscoll highlighted the improvement in industrial relations and  plans for economic growth. 

He requested the plans and details on how full service will be restored, particularly in ensuring more than one train an hour travels from the North East to Liverpool.  

4.5          Regarding incentivising the public to use trains, Cllr Hinchcliffe sought assurance that should they go down this route that they will be able to tolerate the increased demand.  She also sought reassurance that they would not run three-car trains.  Regular reviews were requested to help facilitate a return to full service more quickly than by a year’s time.

She then expressed concern at the removal of the Nova 3 trains stating that this could hinder the return to a full service.  She asked to see the rolling stock plans for the North.

4.6          Building on Members comments, the Chair raised a number of issues including service standards and whether the commitment to restore the timetable fully by December 2024 is contingent on anything else. On the issue of rolling stock whilst understanding the reasoning behind the proposal he expressed concern about losing modern stock and it not being replaced.  He asked that no final decision be made on the Nova 3s withdrawal until the Committee has been presented with a complete plan for rolling stock across the organisation going forward.

4.7          In response to the Committee’s comments Mr Jackson stated that he is happy to be held to account on the delivery and performance against the objectives in the plan.  

Addressing concerns on the return to a full timetable by December 2024 he explained that the plan has an element of reliance on rest day working and assumes that the national picture on industrial relations won’t deteriorate.  He explained that this has been mapped into some of the plans and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4