Yes, says battery powered acceptable but 'last mile diesel' rather than full bimode or DEMU conversion of existing EMU not allowed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Continuing through consultation response, paraphrasing 'we haven't been able to include everything people wanted but in areas where we haven't specifically set out a requirement it will be evauluated and weighted for service improvement value'. HS3/future shape of regions railways report to follow in March.
Responses to the set consultation questions, online and through emails and letters 1,020
Responses received in comment form, through emails and letters 590
RMT postcard campaign responses 9,315
Grimsby Telegraph Campaign petition and newspaper coupon responses 6,442
Wythenshawe Station Campaign group petition responses 3,599
Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) email campaign responses 550
TOTAL 21,516
1020 people specifically answered consultation question while a further 590 were photocopied identical responses which did answer question.
Top 5 issues:
Rolling Stock (wanted significant improvements)
Ticket office opening hours (majority of individual supported shorter opening hours, majority of organisations didnt)
Fare increases (50/50 split between those that would pay more for improvements and those who wouldnt)
Passengers saying they would spend more if there were more calls at smaller stations
Suggestions on how local groups could be involved in running stations and services
Top five postcard write in issues
• Remapping (transferring services from one franchise to another);
• Increasing service frequency;
• Maintaining current levels of service;
• The provision and role of staff on board trains; and
• Improving trains, particularly replacing the Pacer unit
And complaints about crowding, particularly in peak
Top 5 areas of concern
• Inter-urban north-west express (i.e. current TPE services between Manchester, Bolton, Blackpool, Barrow in Furness and Windermere
• South TransPennine (via the Hope Valley), including the East Midlands Liverpool – Norwich service
• Manchester - Rose Hill/Sheffield
• North Transpennine
• Chester - Northwich - Manchester
Remapping decisions:
Cleethorpes to Sheffield and Manchester Airport NO
Windermere to Oxenholme YES from franchise start (from 2/1 service per day to 4 each way per day)
Barrow-in-Furness to Manchester YES from franchise start (increase from 5 to 8 services per day by through working diagrams)
Blackpool to Manchester YES from franchise start (due to electrification, will have to be regional specified stock with fewer 'airline seats' and more baggage accomodation)
Cleethorpes and Grimsby to Barton-on-Humber (Northern to EMT) YES from 2017 when next EMT franchise starts
Scarborough to York DECISION DEFERRED (Network Rail working on proposals with their response due Feb 28th)
Liverpool to Norwich NOT CURRENTLY (Winning bidder after award will be asked to submit suggestions on how improvements can be captured while maintaining through service)
TPE North 6tph frequency, recognise 5ph frequency caused drop in performance which took time to recover. 6TPH TPE frequency will come in medium term, from Dec 2017 some Northern services will be dropped to make way for the 6th train with TPE skip stop picking up the former Northern station calls. When the line infrastructure has been upgraded to cope with the frequency Northern slows will be reintroduced and TPE calls dropped.
2tph Liverpool-Leeds via Victoria specified from December 2017, this will mean Warrington Central is dropped and Northern will have to introduce a Liverpool-Warrington-Manchester service to replace it. Warrington will also benefit from new Chester-Leeds via Manchester service.
Station remappings
TPE>Northern
Arnside 01-Apr-16
Barrow-in-Furness 01-Apr-16
Birchwood 01-Apr-16
Burneside 01-Apr-16
Carnforth 01-Apr-16
Grange-over-Sands 01-Apr-16
Kendal 01-Apr-16
Staveley 01-Apr-16
Ulverston 01-Apr-16
Warrington Central 01-Apr-16
Windermere 01-Apr-16
Northern>EMT
Barrow Haven Oct-17
Barton-On-Humber Oct-17
Goxhill Oct-17
Great Coates Oct-17
Grimsby Docks Oct-17
Habrough Oct-17
Healing Oct-17
New Clee Oct-17
New Holland Oct-17
Stallingborough Oct-17
Thornton Abbey Oct-17
Ulceby Oct-17
Franchise lengths, TPE 7 + 2 years, Northern 9 + 1 years
April 2016 to December 2017 Old timetable
By December 2017, new Northern timetable involving Blackpool electrification and increased capacity form new stock
By December 2018, New TPE timetable involving capacity improvement
December 2019, Further Northern timetabled capacity improvements, elimination of pacers, no more overcrowding
TPE Electrification and South TPE capacity improvements will be progressively negotiated as the infrastructure is completed
TPE bidders will be challenged to show how they can improve capacity before infrastructure works completed
Extra subsidised services to be provided as minimum (200 services weekdays/Saturdays, 300 services sundays) bidders can add their own enhancements
Weekday
•Newcastle-Carlisle: There is currently one Northern train per hour between Newcastle and Carlisle, and one further Northern train per hour between Newcastle and Hexham. By December 2017, we have specified two trains per hour across the full length of the route, allowing bidders flexibility to propose faster services if appropriate. In order to implement this, we are no longer specifying the shuttle service to the Metrocentre on weekdays.
• Bishop Auckland-Darlington: We have specified an hourly Northern service between these locations by December 2019, providing an increase from the current two-hourly service.
• Middlesbrough-Whitby: We have specified an extra Northern train from Whitby in the morning by December 2019, timed to enable people served by this route to travel to work in Middlesbrough
• Barrow-Manchester Airport: The TPE service between Barrow and Manchester Airport will be remapped to Northern, becoming a high-quality ‘Northern regional’ service. The direct service to Manchester Airport will be protected and it will increase to a minimum of eight Northern trains per day each way by December 2017. This is a significant improvement from the current service pattern of five TPE trains per day to Manchester.
• Chester-Manchester (and on to Leeds via the Calder Valley): There will be an extra train every hour between Chester and Manchester, via Warrington Central Government typo, should be WBQ, by December 2017. This service will continue on to Leeds via the Calder Valley, preserving a direct link between Warrington and Leeds after TPE trains between Liverpool and Manchester are rerouted via Newton-le-Willows.
• Cumbrian Coast: We have specified better services on the Cumbrian coast, with extra trains and re-timed trains that will be better targeted to serve Sellafield shift patterns and other peak passenger flows along the line. Some of this Northern service enhancement will be in place by December 2017, with the rest being in place by December 2019. Further detail on these improvements can be found in Figure 4.2, below.
• Liverpool-Manchester (and on to Leeds) via Newton-le-Willows: There is currently one TPE train per hour on this route. The hourly TPE service that currently runs via Warrington Central will run via Newton-le-Willows by December 2017, increasing the services on the Newton-le-Willows route to two TPE trains per hour; these are likely to run at half-hourly intervals, providing a more regular service pattern than is currently in place.
• Liverpool-Manchester Airport via Warrington Central: As explained in section 4.23, a ‘Northern regional’ service will be specified to run from Liverpool to Manchester Airport via Warrington Central by December 2017.
• Manchester-Bolton-Blackburn: There is currently one off-peak Northern train per hour on this route. We have specified an increase to two off-peak trains per hour by December 2017
• Manchester-Glasgow: We are specifying one extra evening train service each way between Manchester and Glasgow by December 2017.
• Manchester-Macclesfield: There is currently one off-peak Northern train per hour on this route. This will increase to two off-peak trains per hour by December 2017.
• Manchester-New Mills Newtown (and Buxton): There is currently one offpeak Northern train per hour on this route. There will be an additional offpeak stopping service every hour between Manchester and New Mills Newtown by December 2017. This extra service provides the opportunity to remove some calls from the existing service between Manchester and Buxton without reducing service frequency at those stations, allowing faster journeys for longer-distance passengers.
• Manchester-Northwich (and Chester): There is currently one off-peak Northern train per hour between Manchester and Chester via Northwich.
We have specified one extra train per hour between Manchester and Northwich by December 2017. This additional stopping service provides the opportunity to remove some calls from the existing service between Manchester and Chester without reducing service frequency at those stations, allowing faster journeys between Manchester and Chester.
• Manchester-Wigan: We have specified one extra Northern train per hour on this route by December 2017. This is intended to reduce the impact of TPE services reverting to running via Bolton once the electrification of the line between Manchester, Bolton and Preston – due in December 2016 – is completed.
• Windermere-Manchester Airport: We have specified two Northern trains per day each way on this route by December 2017, providing a more balanced service pattern. There are currently two direct TPE trains to Windermere and one direct TPE train to the Airport.
• Bolton-Stockport: We have specified one extra direct Northern train per hour between the Bolton corridor and Stockport corridor by December 2019, giving a total of two direct trains per hour.
• Hull-Bridlington-Scarborough: There are currently nine train services per day between Hull and Scarborough, which generally run about 90 minutes apart. This will increase to twelve trains per day by December 2017, broadly running on an hourly basis.
• Hull-Manchester: Hull will have an enhanced TPE weekday evening service by December 2017, with the last train back from Manchester being at least 90 minutes later than the current last service.
• York-Hull: We have specified a regular hourly Northern service pattern by December 2017. This will be significant improvement upon the current service level, as there is not a train every hour.
• Leeds-Harrogate: There are currently two off-peak Northern trains per hour between Leeds and Harrogate on weekdays. We have specified an increase to four trains per hour on this route in total by December 2017, when combined with the extra train service that will be provided on a twohourly basis in the new Intercity East Coast franchise. On alternate hours, this will amount to two extra Northern off-peak trains per hour and one extra Northern train per hour respectively.
• Leeds-Pontefract-Knottingley: We have specified one extra off-peak Northern train per hour on this route, as an extension of the existing service between Knottingley and Wakefield, by December 2017.
• Leeds-Settle-Carlisle: We have specified a new Northern service out of Leeds in the afternoon peak, specifically between 1700 and 1759, by December 2019. We are also specifying an additional evening journey from Carlisle back to Leeds by December 2019.
• Manchester-Halifax-Bradford: We have specified one extra Northern train per hour on this route by December 2019, making a total of three services per hour. Bradford will also get a regular direct service to Manchester Airport by Dec 2019.
• Sheffield-Worksop (and Lincoln): There is currently one Northern train per hour between Sheffield and Lincoln. We have specified one extra train per hour between Sheffield and Worksop by December 2019 which will allow faster services between Sheffield and Lincoln by removing calls at smaller intermediate stations.
• Skipton-Lancaster: There are currently five Northern trains per day in each direction between Skipton and Lancaster. We have specified two extra trains per day in each direction by December 2019, making a total of
seven trains in each direction.
SUNDAY
• Middlesbrough-Manchester: Middlesbrough will see its TPE service frequency doubled on Sundays by December 2017, giving an hourly service instead of the current two-hourly service. The first direct TPE train from Middlesbrough to Manchester will run more than an hour earlier than today by December 2017.
• Middlesbrough-Nunthorpe: There are currently no Sunday services between these locations for part of the year. We have specified that there will be an hourly Northern service between Middlesbrough and Nunthorpe all year round by December 2017, with these additional services providing improved connectivity with James Cook University Hospital.
• Middlesbrough-Sunderland-Newcastle: There is currently a two-hourly Northern service on this route, with a couple of extra services. By December 2017, this will become an hourly service.
• Morpeth-Newcastle (and MetroCentre): There are currently no Northern services on this route on Sundays. There will be seven Northern services per day by December 2017, serving Newcastle and MetroCentre.
• Whitby-Middlesbrough: There are currently Northern services on Sundays on this route for part of the year only. By December 2017, the route will have Sunday services all year round.
• Bishop Auckland-Darlington: There are currently five Northern trains per day between Bishop Auckland and Darlington. This will increase to eight Northern trains per day by December 2017.
• Barrow-Whitehaven: There are currently no Sunday services on this route. We have specified that Northern train services will operate on the full length of the Cumbrian coast on Sundays by December 2017. This will greatly improve the public transport options available to local residents, as well as making it possible for visitors to make day trips and weekend trips by train.
• Liverpool-Wigan: We have specified one extra Northern train per hour on Sundays on this route by December 2017, making a total of two trains per hour.
• Macclesfield/Stoke Line: There are currently five Northern trains a day on this route on Sundays. We have specified an hourly service all day by December 2017.
• Manchester-Edinburgh: We are specifying one extra Sunday train service each way between Manchester and Edinburgh by December 2017.
• Manchester-Glasgow: We are specifying one extra Sunday train service each way between Manchester and Glasgow by December 2017.
• Manchester-Sheffield: The ‘Hope Valley’ route between Manchester and Sheffield will have a more frequent TPE Sunday morning service from Manchester by December 2017, with the first TPE train running earlier than the current first train.
• Manchester-Stockport-Chester: There is currently a two-hourly Northern service on this route on Sundays, but this will become an hourly service by December 2017.
• Bradford-Skipton and Bradford-Ilkley: There is currently a two-hourly Northern service on each of these routes. We have specified hourly services by December 2017.
• Cleethorpes-Manchester: The last direct Sunday service back to Manchester from Cleethorpes will be an hour later than the current last direct service by December 2017.
• Hull-Bridlington-Scarborough: There are currently six Northern trains per day between Hull and Scarborough. This will increase to twelve trains per day by December 2017.
• Hull-Manchester: Hull will have more direct TPE trains to and from Manchester on a Sunday by December 2017, with the first direct train to Manchester arriving at least 45 minutes earlier than the current first direct train.
• Leeds-Doncaster: The current two-hourly Northern service between these locations will become an hourly service by December 2017.
• Leeds-Harrogate: There is currently one Northern train per hour between these locations on Sundays. We have specified one extra train per hour by December 2017, making a total of two trains per hour.
• Leeds-Moorthorpe-Sheffield: We have specified an hourly Northern service on this route by December 2017, providing an increase from the
current two-hourly service.
• Leeds-Selby: There is currently an irregular service pattern between these locations on Sundays. There will be an hourly Northern stopping service between Leeds and Selby by December 2017.
• Sheffield-Penistone-Huddersfield: The current two-hourly Northern service between these locations will become an hourly service by December 2017, going through to Huddersfield.
• Sheffield-Worksop-Lincoln: We have specified significantly enhanced Northern services on this route by December 2017. An hourly service will operate from late morning, compared with the current mid-afternoon start.
• York-Hull: There is currently an irregular service pattern between these locations on Sundays. There will be an hourly Northern stopping service between York and Hull by December 2017.
EXTENSIONS
Leeds-Manchester extended to Warrington and Chester from 2017 and Manchester Airport from 2019
Manchester-Todmorden extended to Accrington and Blackburn before franchise commencement
Boxing Day Services
Bidder will be required to work with Northern to develop Boxing Day service proposals and a Boxing Day timetable in their first year.
Other Future Improvements
Other improvements possible in future;
TPE Bidders will be expected to propose a direct service between either Blackpool or Liverpool and Scotland.
Northern bidder will be expected to propose reinstating local services when upgrades to accommodate 6tph frequency completed
Manchester-Sheffield Hope Valley, bidders will be expected to propose an extra hourly stopper when Network Rail consultations on the line have been completed
Manchester-Scotland (via Wigan/Bolton), Scotland trains will return to Bolton route and Northern will be required to add a high Speed Manchester-Wigan service replacement. bidders will be free to decide if Blackpool/Barrow service goes via Wigan or Bolton
Whitby-Middlesbrough, a new potash mine is proposed and bidders will have to work around this in their timetable.
Bidders will be expected to engage with a proposal from Nottingham council for faster Nottingham and Leeds services.
Other TSR speed improvements can be proposed by bidders or will be implemented by others and services should be proposed around them, in addition bidders are encouraged to experiment with improving Parliamentary service frequencies.
Bidders will be required to meet DFT minimum crowding standards by Dec 2018 for Northern and Dec 19 for TPE, this means at least a 1/3rd increase in seats, bidders will be evaluated against requirement people shouldn't stand for more than 20 minutes.
Morning Peak seatinf capacity improvement
City/Northern Seats+standing/TPE seats/Total
Leeds 3800 2100 5900
Liverpool 1800 600 2500
Manchester 17200 2200 19400
Sheffield 1900 499 2400
Total 24800 5500 30300
Leeds 15% 38% 19%
Liverpool 30% 80% 36%
Manchester 49% 44% 49%
Sheffield 33% 61% 36%
Total 34% 45% 36%
Government now accepts that there doesn't have to be a tradeoff between rolling stock improvement and service levels
Northern rolling stock requirement, complete fleet refurbishment, end to pacers, 120 new diesel carriages, can keep stock freed from electrification, Northern is expected to offer differentiated stock for Commuter and long distance services, Scenic+tourism benefits will be rewarded similar to Scottish specification.
TPE rolling stock requirement, to continue to provide the high quality stock standard people already enjoy, will have to provide enough stock to meet timetable requirements.
Northern station improvement fund to be set at £2.3m per year, TPE at £700k per year after the fourth year, station improvements must be annual rather than concentrated at start of franchise. Some station responsibilities will be transferred from Network Rail to Bidders including 40 year franchise asset for station improvements (TOC can invest more in a station and repay it over 40 years rather than just during the length of franchise)
Network Rail wants to take over Manchester Victoria and Manchester Oxford Road, GMCA has submitted a business plan to take over
all stations in Greater Manchester, will take time to assess such a large proposal so bidders should assume status quo with any changes coming from a franchise deed of alteration.
Free WI-FI on all Northern/TPE trains mandatory from Dec 2019 but bidders encouraged to implement this target earlier.
Revenue protection, see separate reports but Government believes for northern 6.6% and 11.5% of travel is ticketless losing approx. £30m per year, for TPE 4.1% losing £8m per year. Bidders should propose how they will address this. Northern required to gradually implement DOO with second member of staff then concentrating on revenue protection/customer service. Driver only operation (no guard/conductor) will only be permitted where bidder can show all stations will be adequately gated. Government decided not to specify ticket office hours with existing hours to continue as minimum, bidders will however be expected to improve staffing efficiency. Also expected there will be a large increase in staff for the two franchises.
Northern rail will be required to appoint a community lines Partnershup manager and spend £500k per year on line partnerships, TPE will no longer serve any lines with Community Partnerships but should be proactive in supporting them.
Fares, bidders should assume normal national fare increases and no exceptional increases. Zonal fares should be introduced around cities to allows smart ticketing, split ticketing/fare PTE Boundary fare dropoffs should end. Ticket machines are confusing and should be improved.
Franchise management, the formal partnership between Dft and Rail North means that Dft oversight will be provided by a local joint team based in Leeds (i.e. away from Whitehall)
