Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, reacts to news that failing train operator TransPennine Express will be nationalised.

Responding to the government’s announcement that it will not renew Transpennine Express’s contract after months of pressure from Northern Mayors, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:

“It is absolutely right that this is the end of the line for failing railway operator Transpennine Express.

“We’ve been urging government to act for almost a year, as delays and cancellations have damaged our economy and subjected commuters in the North to sheer misery.

“This is a victory for Northern Mayors who rallied together to hold Transpennine Express and Rishi Sunak’s government to account on this issue.

“We hope this allows an opportunity to reset relationships with staff who have bore the brunt of operator failings, and look forward to hearing how the new operator intends to improve services – as the voice of passengers, I will continue to speak up for their interests first and foremost.”

TransPennine Express contract decision – statement from Transport for the North.

Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, said: “We welcome the decision announced today by the Secretary of State to bring the contract under Operator of Last Resort (OLR) for TransPennine Express.

“The TfN Board’s position on this issue has been clear for some considerable time, that services need to significantly improve. While we have seen some improvements over recent months, to achieve the performance levels passengers expect and deserve, and that the northern economy needs, there is a need for a resetting of the operation.

”We will now look forward positively to discussing with our members and working with the government to ensure the best way to achieve a service that meets the expectations of those living and working in the north.”