News: Strike threat on Rotherham trains

Members of rail union, the RMT, have voted for action on Northern Rail services with a date for a strike set for March 13.

Guards and driver members have voted for both strike action and action short of a strike after the franchise operating company, Arriva Rail North, failed to give assurances on the future role of the guard on their services.

Northern provides rail services at Rotherham Central Station.

Workers are concerned over the potential introduction of trains with doors operated by drivers (Driver Only Operation), favoured by the Department for Transport. Arguments centre on cost-cutting and safety.

RMT has now confirmed industrial action as follows, asking members not to book on for any shifts between 00:01 hrs and 23:59 hrs on Monday March 13. Members voted by 83.6% for strike action and by 93.5% for action short of a strike.

In addition, the union is kick starting a renewed campaign, involving the general public and targeting politicians across the area served by Arriva Rail North aimed at maximising political and public support for RMT's fight for a guaranteed guard on the company's services.

Advertisement

Mick Cash, General Secretary at the RMT, said: "RMT members have voted by a massive majority for both strike action and action short of a strike on Arriva Rail North in a dispute which is all about putting public safety before private profit. The company now has the best part of two weeks to sit down with us, address the core issues at the heart of this dispute and negotiate a settlement before the action commences.

"The company's intransigence has forced our hand and given us to option but to announce industrial action. The disruption to services will be entirely down to Arriva Rail North reneging on their earlier commitments. The union remains available for genuine and meaningful talks and we expect the company to take up that offer as a matter of urgency."

The union claims that Arriva Rail North has reneged on previous positions and responded to questions over providing a second person on all passenger services by saying: "We are not in a position to offer either of these guarantees at this present time."

A spokesman for Northern said: "As our modernisation proposals are still in the early stages, it is a shame that RMT has announced strike action for Monday 13 March. Our aim is to reach a constructive resolution and we urge RMT to continue the talks we have already started.

"We want to protect jobs and pay, and during our recent discussions we offered to consult fully with our people, customers and key stakeholders.

"If strike action goes ahead, our customers can be reassured that we have plans in place to keep them moving. During any strike action, we plan to run a revised service and will shortly release further information."

Images: SYPTE

Read more...

News: Arriva signs contract for new Northern trains

Train operating company Arriva has signed a contract worth £560m for new trains and carriages for the Northern rail franchise, with updated trains set to service Rotherham from 2018.

Northern Rail is currently operated by a 50:50 joint venture between Serco Group plc, the international services company, and Abellio, a subsidiary of NS Dutch Railways. From April 2016, it will be operated by Arriva, one of Europe's leading transport operators, until at least 2025.

The winning bid for the franchise included the introduction of 281 new carriages, the full refurbishment of the remaining fleet and the removal of all Pacer trains within three years. Beginning in December 2017, new timetables will provide 100 new through journey opportunities across Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and other regional hubs.

Following a comprehensive procurement process, Spanish train manufacturer CAF will build the 281 carriages with the first of the new trains, which will enable the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains to be replaced, delivered by October 2018. The deal will be financed by Eversholt Rail Group.

The projects include the supply of 43 electric trains of three and four carriages and 55 diesel trains of two and three carriages (a total of 281 passenger carriages) for commuter/regional services with a top speed of 100 mph.

The new trains will include air conditioning, power sockets and tables, cycle racks, toilets, digital CCTV systems, and free Wifi for passengers.

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva's UK Trains Division, said: "We feel hugely privileged to have been given the opportunity to transform travel for passengers across the North of England and today’s contract signing allows us to replace the outdated, unpopular Pacer trains as soon as possible.

"We are delighted to partner with CAF and Eversholt Rail Group to meet the high specification and demanding timetable for delivery of the new rolling stock. I hope that today's announcement once again makes clear our determination to deliver on our promises to passengers."

The Northern operated service between Sheffield and Hull, which calls at Rotherham, is set to become part of the Northern Connect network, with at least 13 trains per day each way operated by brand new diesel trains. There will be 15 trains per day on Sundays, up from 11 or 12 currently on the timetable.

Arriva website

Images: CAF

Read more...

News: New rail franchise agreements for the North

The Government has selected Arriva to operate the Northern Rail franchise and First Group to operate the TransPenine franchise as it claims it will provide a world class rail service that will make the Northern Powerhouse a reality.

Northern Rail, is currently operated by a 50:50 joint venture between Serco Group plc, the international services company, and Abellio, a subsidiary of NS Dutch Railways. From April 2016, it will be operated by Arriva, one of Europe's leading transport operators, until at least 2025.

The winning bid included the introduction of 281 new carriages, the full refurbishment of the remaining fleet and the removal of all Pacer trains within three years. Beginning in December 2017, new timetables will provide 100 new through journey opportunities across Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and other regional hubs.

At the same time as hoping for more investment, the Government was looking to reduce the level of subsidy for the region. Although it has been falling since 2008/09, Northern has the highest subsidy per passenger mile of any franchise managed by Rail Executive. Passenger fare revenue represents only 36% of annual turnover, with direct financial support from the Department for Transport and via local transport bodies amounting to £324m in 2012/13. In comparison, the net subsidy to TransPennine Express amounted to £41m.

On the Northern franchise, Arriva will reduce the amount of annual government subsidy required by around £140m over nine years.

The TransPennine Express franchise, currently operated by FirstGroup and Keolis, will now be solely operated by FirstGroup from next year. Here, 44 new state of the art intercity trains and 220 brand new carriages will be introduced by 2019 providing an additional 13 million seats a year.

The company said that more than £500m will be invested to transform rail services across the North of England and into Scotland. There will be a large increase in the number of carriages compared with today, meaning an 80% rise in capacity at the busiest times of the day.

On TransPennine Express, First will pay premium to the government of around £400m over the life of the new franchise, taking the franchise out of subsidy for the first time.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "We promised passengers across Yorkshire and the Humber a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality – and I'm delighted that we have found two operators that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.

"In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth – today we've put that right.

"Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and – coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital TransPennine route – will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for Yorkshire and the Humber."

The Northern and TransPennine Express franchises provide many rail services across the North of England, including all services into Rotherham. Neither of the new franchise holders seemed to have listened too much to points put forward by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority during consultation on the need to "improve the frequency of services to Rotherham and provide direct links to additional destinations."

The Northern operated service between Sheffield and Hull, which calls at Rotherham, is set to become part of the Northern Connect network, with at least 13 trains per day each way operated by brand new diesel trains. There will be 15 trains per day on Sundays, up from 11 or 12 currently on the timetable.

Also part of the Northern Connect network, the Lincoln - Sheffield line, which calls at Kiveton Park, a minimum of ten trains per day in each direction will run through to Meadowhall, Barnsley, Wakefield and Leeds.

Subsequent studies have found that the only viable way to improve rail services to Rotherham is to build a brand new £14m station at Parkgate due to the lack of viable options for increasing capacity at Rotherham Central.

Arriva website
First Group website

Images: SYPTE

Read more...