What benefits will the new franchises bring to the North West and the community rail lines?
Following the early morning announcement by the Government regarding the new Northern and TransPennine express franchises some detail has now been published that highlights the benefits to us here in the north west of England and what we might see on our community rail lines.
Rail North Ltd., who will be managing the new franchises in partnership with the Department of Transport have issued a briefing note for Lancashire and Cumbria. The briefing note covers key points and details of proposed changes at stations and to train services across the area. You can download the document by clicking Lancashire & Cumbria Briefing Note.
Rail North have also published a headline document that says that there will be; £1.2bn investment across the north, more than 500 new carriages, 2000 extra train services per week and all pacer trains to be replaced by 2020. A full copy of the note can be downloaded by clicking here.