News: Innovative rail ticket technology trial expands across the North

Rail passengers in South Yorkshire can now join hundreds across England in trialling new digital ticketing technology.

People going between Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster can take advantage of simpler and more flexible ticket options when they travel on Northern rail services.

More than 2,000 journeys and counting have already been made under similar trials on East Midlands Railway and Northern services, which both launched in September 2025.

Digital ticketing trials allow passengers to check in and check out seamlessly on rail journeys, using a location-identifying app on their phone. The app tracks journeys using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology and then automatically charges participants at the end of the day. For ticket inspections and to go through ticket barriers, a unique bar code will pop up in the app to be scanned.

This technology replaces the need for paper tickets or more commonly used mobile tickets bought online or in-app ahead of journeys. Doing away with the need to plan and book travel in advance, the app tracks which trains passengers take, detecting when they have left the rail network.

The latest trial comes as the government is delivering the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the creation of Great British Railways, which will help to deliver better services for passengers and simpler fares across the network.

Thanks to government backing, passengers taking part in the trial will get £15 worth of free travel, with credit automatically added to their account.

Another trial of the technology launched on the Sheffield to Barnsley route run by Northern on December 1 2025.

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Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said: "We’re proud to be at the forefront of modernising rail travel in the North. The success of the first trial has shown that passengers value the simplicity and flexibility that technology brings.

"This second trial is an exciting next step and we’re excited to offer customers in that area a smarter, easier way to travel. This is about removing barriers and making rail the obvious choice for everyday journeys."

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, said: "It’s encouraging to see new technology being trialled to make rail travel easier for us all here in South Yorkshire. We know ticketing can be a barrier, especially for people who don’t travel often, so anything that helps make the system more straightforward to use is a step in the right direction.

"I’ll be keeping a close eye on how this trial works for passengers. If it helps break down barriers and makes rail more accessible for everyone, then it’s something we’ll want to build on."

Backed by nearly £1m of government funding, the trials are part of plans to modernise our transport system, putting passenger experience at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to take the train – building on the government’s mission to deliver growth.

Northern Rail website

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News: Government decision on Rotherham mainline station "makes no sense"

The leader of Rotherham Council says that a government decision to put the brakes on a proposed new £30m mainline station in Rotherham "makes no sense economically or environmentally."

Rothbiz revealed earlier this month that the Government has confirmed that it will not allow the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to use £8m from its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for the project.

SYMCA and Rotherham Council have been developing a scheme to return mainline train services to the borough for the first time since the 1980s. A site at Parkgate is the frontrunner for a regeneration project described by experts as "a relatively straightforward scheme for delivery within three to four years,"

As well as £8m from the CRSTS, £10m has been earmarked to support the mainline station as part of Rotherham Council’s successful £31.6m award from the Towns Fund.

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Instead of the full £8m, Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport has only allowed for £1m in this CRSTS period to be used to develop the Outline Business Case (OBC) for an integrated mainline and tram-train station. It means that further spend beyond this – and work on the ground – is delayed until 2027 at the earliest.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: “This is an unexpected, disappointing and arbitrary decision from the government, kicking into the long grass the major upgrade that our local rail services needs. For us, this would be a significant investment to upgrade train travel, helping to take cars off the road and protecting our rail services from the potential worst impacts of HS2. But in national terms this should be a no-brainer; it’s a relatively small cost, with funding largely already identified, for a scheme that’s relatively easy to build, directly in line with what the government says its policy is.

“Nearly six months ago, I wrote to the Secretary of State urging him to support this scheme. And while I continue to wait for a reply, it seems that he has just decided to put Rotherham on the back burner again. It’s a decision that makes no sense economically or environmentally. We’ve already waited more than thirty years for the next mainline service for our borough, the arrivals board should be counting down the next two years now and instead we’re stuck in limbo.”

The region now waits on an update on the studies into taking HS2 services to Leeds, which could benefit Rotherham, that are expected in September.

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News: Northern franchise to be taken back under Government control

The Government is taking over the operation of all Northern rail services from franchise holder, Arriva Rail North. The Northern franchise provides the majority of services to Rotherham Central.

The Government said that it recognises that the rail network in the north has fallen far short of delivering the service passengers need and deserve.

This comes after the Transport Secretary announced on January 9 that the Northern franchise was no longer financially sustainable and would only be able to continue for a small number of months.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "This is a new beginning for Northern, but it is only a beginning.

"Northern's network is huge and complex and some of the things which are wrong are not going to be quick or easy to put right. But I am determined that Northern passengers see real and tangible improvements across the network as soon as possible.

"The railways were invented in the north. Last year the Prime Minister promised that we would give the railway back to the places it was born, giving more power over services, fares, and stations to local leaders.

"Today marks the first small step towards the north taking back control of its railways and its people taking back control of their travelling lives.

"There will be no more leaving behind. This government is committed to levelling-up."

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From March 1 2020, the Government will take over running services on the Northern network through Northern Trains Limited, a subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited (DOHL).

Arriva Rail North said that passengers, employees and suppliers can expect operations to continue during the transfer period.

Chris Burchell, MD UK Trains at Arriva, said: "We had a clear vision for the Northern franchise that would better connect the cities of the North with more frequent, reliable and modern services and unlock economic growth. It was clear however that, largely because of external factors, the franchise plan had become undeliverable.  A new plan is needed that will secure the future for Northern train services.  As such, we understand Government's decision."

Transport for the North welcomed the news the Secretary of State for Transport is stripping Northern of its rail franchise and is bringing in the Operator of Last Resort (OLR).

Barry White, chief executive of Transport for the North, said: "Our hard-pressed passengers have been calling for action for some time – as have our Members. Now, at last, we have the chance of a fresh start. Action has been taken and we can move forward. This new initiative must put passengers first and provide a reliable rail service that rebuilds trust that has been lost.

"In addition to this change, essential infrastructure is needed to reach the levels of performance and reliability we need, and we now need to see early commitment to this and accelerated delivery from Government."

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News: Northern's new trains on the way to South Yorkshire

Franchise operator, Northern Rail, has announced that new trains will be introduced into South Yorkshire later this month.

From Sunday December 15 more than 50 new Northern trains will be carrying customers across the network – with a further 49 to be introduced in 2020.

Delays have meant that Pacers will still be used in South Yorkshire in 2020. The delay has been caused by technical problems with the new trains, bought and owned by one of the three rolling stock companies, Eversholt.

The new trains feature free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, at-seat power and customer information/media screens with real-time information. They are also more spacious for customers and are fully accessible with spaces for wheel chairs and cycles.

Steve Hopkinson, regional director at Northern, said: "The Northern network is busier than it has been for a generation – more than 100 million customer journeys will be made on Northern services in 2019 – and the introduction of new trains is at the heart of delivering improvements for our customers.

"We are delighted, therefore, that customers travelling through South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands will now be served by brand new trains.

"These fantastic trains are a true step-change in travelling experience and we are extremely proud to be delivering a £500m investment for our customers."

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Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, added: "We are looking to grow our economy in a way where everyone gets a full opportunity to succeed – and also in a sustainable way.  Trains are a very energy efficient and carbon friendly way to transport passengers around our Region and beyond.

"We are now seeing the promised investment and so today is a day for celebration. It is the start of a new era of rail travel in South Yorkshire and I warmly welcome it on behalf of all businesses."

Northern, which operates the majority of services in Rotherham, is also currently fully refurbishing its existing fleet of 268 trains.

Despite Northern previously saying that Pacers would be removed by the end of 2019, up to 34 (11 Class 142 and 23 Class 144) Pacers will remain in the fleet for a short time into 2020 to cover the delay in delivery of new trains into the franchise. Northern’s current plan is to remove all 142s by February 17, 2020 and to remove 144s by May 17, 2020.

The Pacers will operate mainly in South Yorkshire including Sheffield to Gainsborough Central (through Kiveton), Huddersfield and Doncaster as well as areas of West Yorkshire and Manchester.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said in October: “Yet again, rail passengers in the Sheffield City Region are being treated like second-class citizens.

"While commuters in London have Crossrail coming; here in the North people face travelling on what are essentially old buses on rails, at speeds that average 35mph."

It is likely that a number of old Pacer trains will be heading to CF Booth in Rotherham for scrapping. The historic firm has recently progressed plans to enable railcars to be stored at its Millmoor site.

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News: Rotherham rail improvements in new strategic plan

A number of proposals for improving rail services in Rotherham feature in a new strategic plan launched by the Sheffield city region (SCR), including a long-discussed new mainline station.

A 2015 study showed that rail connectivity in Rotherham is not as good as other centres and the only practical and cost effective way to enhance connectivity is to consider providing a new railway station on the mainline, costing around £14m.

A 2018 study added that new stations in Rotherham and in the Dearne Valley on a proposed "Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR)" line could boost the economic benefits from HS2.

Now a vision for how the SCR will be better connected by both high speed and conventional rail networks into the future - regionally, across the North, and nationally - includes the creation of a new Midland Main Line station in Rotherham.

Other Rotherham ambitions include:

- making the tram train service between Sheffield and Rotherham permanent
- extending the tram train network from Rotherham to Swinton, Doncaster and the airport to release capacity for NPR on the main line
- new tram train services to Waverley and other strategic housing areas such as a spur to Aston and Aughton
- a new rail station serving, businesses and communities in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) at Waverley
- A park and ride expansion at Parkgate
- a new tram-train station and associated park and ride facilities at Magna
- improvements at the Kiveton stations

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The plan also confirms a preferred location on a site in Goldthorpe for a proposed new Barnsley Dearne Valley railway station. This parkway station and a new mainline station are set to be progressed through NPR and not HS2. A northern spur out of Sheffield has yet to be confirmed and an upgrade and electrification would be required of the Dearne Valley Line through Rotherham for NPR/HS2.

No location has been given for a new Rotherham mainline station but it is expected to be on the edge of the town centre.

The plan states: "Rotherham has not benefited from intercity rail connectivity since the late 1980s when Masbrough station was closed. Currently, local connections to Sheffield and Doncaster are available with an hourly, hour long service to Leeds.

"Restoring the provision of fast, reliable and high quality intercity connections allied to a new station on the mainline rail network, would fundamentally transform the developable proposition of companies seeking to invest in Rotherham.

"A new mainline station in the central Rotherham area, developed with a suitable masterplan, will ensure that the area plays an important economic development role for the city region."

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "This is a landmark moment for our region. For the first time, Government, regional partners and our local authorities have come together to welcome a vision for the future of our rail services, creating a Plan that will revolutionise rail travel for our communities."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, added: "I cautiously welcome today's proposals, which move forward a number of significant projects for the borough that have been under consideration for a long time. A new mainline station in a central area of the borough, returning intercity connections for the first time in thirty years, would help to undo decades of damage to Rotherham's rail connectivity.

"If done correctly, it would create significant opportunities to improve access to jobs and encourage economic development. A new station to connect Waverley and the Advanced Manufacturing Park would not only relieve pressure on the local road network but also open up access to job opportunities from the south of the borough, and making permanent and extending the tram train pilot will be critical to ensure many existing journeys are not stopped as a consequence of HS2.

"We have argued throughout that any rail plan must ensure that travellers using all the existing stations in the borough would see improvements and not reductions in service. However, in relation to HS2, I want to be clear that these proposals do not change the Council's position. The so-called M18 route is not to Rotherham's advantage, it will bring years of disruption during construction, and it should be scrapped."

SCR website

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News: Off the rails - usage down in Rotherham

2017 saw the lowest level of usage at Rotherham Central station in nearly ten years.

Undergoing a £10.4m redevelopment and re-opening in 2012, data published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) shows that the estimated number of users has dropped to 604,032 in 2017-18. A near 100,000 reduction from the high of 718,082 seen in 2014-15.

Rotherham Central Station opened in 1987 and is located on a branch line constructed to serve the new station. Previously Rotherham's main railway station was located in Masbrough, and was served by mainline railway services. However, Rotherham Central was considered a more convenient location due to its proximity to the town centre.

Following the redevelopment, work has continued to introduce new platforms and facilities for the £100m+ tram-train project that connects Sheffield, Meadowhall, Rotherham and Parkgate.

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2017 saw Network Rail demolish and install a new bridge at Rotherham Central as the previous one did not have enough room for the overhead lines which power the innovative tram-train vehicles.

College Road closed for 18 weeks to Friday August 18. A temporary footbridge was installed to allow pedestrians to access the town centre from Masbrough.

The figures cover the period between April 1 2017 and March 31 2018 and the estimates of station usage consist of the total numbers of people travelling from or to the station.

In 2008-09, usage was an estimated 650,118 which rose steadily to 711,724 in 2012-13. 2014-15 saw a high of 718,082 but this declined to 689,540 in 15-16 and 690,734 in 16-17.

Usage at Swinton, also in Rotherham has remained between 390,000 and 400,000 over the last four years.

A much delayed project, tram trains began servicing Rotherham Central in October and should boost usage. The SYPTE, Northern Rail and Network Rail have been working together on the pilot project which was first announced in 2009. Securing Government funding, the aim of the project is to help determine whether tram-trains can run in other parts of the country.

Three services operate an hour, travelling on the Supertram network between Sheffield Cathedral and Meadowhall South and utilise a new section of track at Tinlsey, which links the tram line to the rail line. Vehicles use the national rail network between Tinsley and Rotherham Parkgate via Rotherham Central station, filling in the gaps in the Northern Rail service.

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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.

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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."

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News: Usage down at Rotherham Central

The estimated number of users at Rotherham Central has fallen after an increase in the previous year.

Undergoing a £10.4m redevelopment and re-opening in 2012, the estimated number of users peaked at 718,082 in 2014 - 2015 but this has dropped to 689,540 for 2015 - 2016.

Rotherham Central Station opened in 1987 and is located on a branch line constructed to serve the new station. Previously Rotherham's main railway station was located in Masbrough, and was served by mainline railway services. However, Rotherham Central was considered a more convenient location due to its proximity to the town centre.

The figures are produced by the Office of Rail and Road and station usage is estimated using ticket sales as many UK station's are without barriers. Journeys associated with ticketless travel are not included.

In comparison to Rotherham, Sheffield Midland had an estimated 9.2 million users for 2015 - 2016, up slightly on the previous year. Meadowhall's station saw 2.1 million estimated users, slightly down from 2.2m in the previous year. Swinton station in Rotherham had 390,730 estimated users in 2015 - 2016, down from 402,972 in 2014 - 2015.

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The opposition Labour party has highlighted the rising cost of rail travel as a price increase came into force at the start of 2017.

Annual season tickets from Sheffield Meadowhall to Leeds have risen by £512 or 26% since 2010. These trains travel through Rotherham and Barnsley, stopping at Rotherham Central, Swinton, Bolton-on-Dearne, Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe.

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey, said: "Train users in Rotherham and Barnsley have been hit again and again by eye-watering rail fare rises. Fares here have gone up by 26 per cent under the Tories, far outstripping any increase in most people's pay packets.

"For many people here travelling by train isn't a luxury, it's how they get to work every day.

"Labour's policy is to bring the railways into public ownership so they can be run for passengers not profit. That means fairer fares, investment in a 21st century railway and giving passengers a stronger voice."

For a town of its size and economic importance Rotherham has only three services per hour, operating at irregular intervals and with comparatively slow journey times.

Northern Rail, which serves Rotherham Central, is operated by Arriva, one of Europe's leading transport operators, until at least 2025.

In 2015, consultants stated that the only viable way to improve rail services to Rotherham is to build a brand new £14m station at Parkgate.

A new railway station on the mainline would take advantage of services that currently pass through the borough but do not stop. A new station at Parkgate station could benefit from direct services to Sheffield, Doncaster, Manchester and its airport, Cleethorpes, Hull, York, Newcastle, Reading and a potential new service to connect to Leeds.

Partners are waiting on the Government's new station fund.

Rotherham Central would continue to play an important role by providing key local connections, particularly Rotherham to Sheffield. Usage at Rotherham Central is set to be boosted when the innovative Tram-Train services eventually begin running in the Summer of 2018.

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News: Rail improvements signal Bank Holiday disruption

The rail network in parts of South Yorkshire will be closed this May bank holiday as Network Rail, the owners and operators of Britain's rail infrastructure, upgrades signalling to provide more reliable train services for passengers.

The £15m investment will see the control of signals – the traffic lights of the railway – around Sheffield, Rotherham, Swinton and Mexborough moved to the state-of-the-art Rail Operating Centre (ROC) in York which already controls the signalling across large parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The complex electrical work will take place over the bank holiday weekend of Sunday May 2 and Monday May 2 meaning some services won't run with buses replacing trains. All lines are set to reopen on Tuesday May 3.

Rob McIntosh, route managing director for Network Rail said: "Moving the signalling to the ROC is an important step in our £40bn Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better more reliable railway for passengers and means that passenger and freight services become more reliable, while also helping to bring down the cost of running the railway.

"Although there is never a good time to disrupt passengers, we know that fewer people travel over bank holidays and we deliberately avoided doing this project at Christmas to help support Meadowhall and the region's retail economy. I thank passengers for their patience and understanding while this upgrade takes place and assure them that the long term benefit will be worth the few days of inconvenience."

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Arriva, one of Europe's leading transport operators, has recently taken on the Northern Rail franchise whilst the TransPennine Express franchise is now solely operated by FirstGroup.

As part of the winning bids, the franchisees have promised new and refurbished trains and carriages and new timetables should begin in 2017.

Other projects in Network Rail's upgrade plan included the delayed Tram Train pilot project between Sheffield and Rotherham and improvements to sections of railway in the Hope Valley to enable faster, more frequent services on to the route between Manchester and Sheffield.

A £1.5 billion electrification project to bring newer, faster and more reliable trains on the key route between London and the Sheffield city region is not set to reach the region until 2023.

It was hoped that the electrification of the routes "Sheffield – Doncaster", "Swinton to South Kirkby Junction" and "Chesterfield – Beighton Junction – Rotherham" would be part of an on going rolling programme of electrification to complete these parts of the "Electric Spine" in the period from 2019 to 2024.

Network Rail website

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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

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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

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News: Cuts at Rotherham Station

Rotherham may have a modern £8.5m train station but ticket office hours are being cut and there is still no ticket machine.

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, has written to the Department for Transport and Northern Rail to oppose the recently announced changes that mean that the ticket office at Rotherham Central will be closing for an extra five hours and 45 minutes over a week, including almost three hours on a Sunday.

With no ticket machine outside of the office, it means passengers cannot buy tickets when the office is closed in addition to not being able to order cheaper tickets in advance to print out on the day of travel at Rotherham.

The Northern and TransPennine Express franchises provide many rail services across the North of England, including all services into Rotherham. The process of procuring new operators is now underway, with both new franchises due to commence in February 2016.

Publishing tender documents for bidders earlier this year, the Government has made pre-election promises that new franchise holders must replace outdated Pacer trains, introduce a brand new fleet of modern trains, add over 200 new train services every day across both franchises and provide over one-third more capacity across both franchises.

The RMT Union has warned that the new franchises will allow Driver Only Operation of trains, thereby threatening the jobs of conductors, and the loss of hundreds of station and ticket office staff. Both will have detrimental consequences for passengers, safety and service.

Champion believes that the cuts mean that Rotherham station has already been impacted more than any other in South Yorkshire. She questioned this decision and also the decision not to consult South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive about the move; despite the SYPTE being the organisation responsible for public transport in Rotherham.

Sarah said: "I'm extremely disappointed that this choice has been made and I hope that a solution can be found quickly. I understand difficult decisions are needed when it comes to public transport services but for me these cuts to Rotherham Central Station ticket office opening hours are a step too far.

"My biggest concern is the impact it will have on passengers, particularly the elderly and most vulnerable. A number have spoken to me about their safety concerns when using public transport and a staff presence provides them with reassurances. People deserve to feel safe when travelling and I don’t think this has been taken into serious consideration.

"I've now written to both the Department for Transport and Northern Rail in a bid to try and find a solution and reverse these changes. The fact they didn't consult the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive before these new times were implemented is a major worry. I believe the decision to cut almost six hours of the ticket office opening times will have a detrimental impact on Rotherham and the people who use the station."

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News: Rail North outlines timetable for electrification

The Northern Rail route between Sheffield and Doncaster that passes through Rotherham and the Dearne Valley should be electrified at the earliest opportunity.

As the region waits on the HS2 line to increase capacity on the rail network, work is also taking place to improve connectivity and capacity, and shorten journey times, between the North and London, and across the North.

Rail North, a group of transport organisation across the North of England has presented its latest report to the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin outlining future electrification of rail links in the region.

The previously published Long Term Rail Strategy for the North of England placed Rotherham within an important "interconnected urban matrix" where a consistent high standard of express rail services would boost the economy. The latest report focused on electrification and put economic growth and connectivity at the heart of their considerations, as part of the emerging "Northern Powerhouse" concept.

Thirty two routes were examined, and grouped into three distinct prioritisation tiers based on their ability to contribute to local economic plans, how they fit with other schemes, and the number of diesel kilometres of running they would replace. 12 routes were ranked in Tier One, highlighting that they would have the biggest impact on the wider economy. Including in this top tier is the route between Sheffield and Doncaster which passes through Meadowhall, Rotherham, Swinton, Mexborough and Conisbrough.

The report states that the schemes identified in Tier One should be taken forward urgently through a full business case analysis so that they can be properly considered in the funding cycle for Network Rail's next round of funding, known as Control Period 6 which covers 2019 to 2024. The Task Force recommends that this preparatory work is considered for immediate funding in the 2015-2016 financial year.

The route between Sheffield (Meadowhall) to Leeds via Barnsley / Castleford & connections is also included in Tier One with Manchester to Sheffield and Sheffield to Lincoln via Retford included in Tier Two.

Andrew Jones MP, who chaired the Electrification Task Force, said: "It is a comprehensive report detailing where we think the priorities lie for rail electrification in the north. We have placed economic growth at the heart of this project and been working on the premise that all the lines of the north would be electrified, it is only a question of when. This report details where it should start.

"The need for rail electrification is significant. It is part of the improvements in infrastructure that we need in the north. We know how much there is to do and to do it we are looking at a task of generational scale. Indeed, this report is intended to look years ahead."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, added: "I am grateful to the members of the task force for their work. I want to see a rolling plan for further electrification and this study will have a vital part to play in setting the agenda for 2019 and beyond. Network Rail will take the task force's findings into account as it develops its nationwide plan to improve the nations railways."

The section of the Midland Mainline (MML) in the Sheffield city region will not be electrified in Network Rail's current spending period. The plan for the MML, which links Sheffield with the East Midlands and London St Pancras will deliver more seats, improved performance and more space for freight.

Network Rail plans to electrify the route north of Bedford, working north. It will reach Corby at the end of 2017; Nottingham and Derby will follow at the end of 2019 and Sheffield at the end of 2020.

Rail North website

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News: Transforming the north’s railway

It remains to be seen if Rotherham will see any major improvements in its rail connectivity when new franchises begin operating the services across the North in 2016.

The Northern and TransPennine Express franchises provide many rail services across the North of England, including all services into Rotherham. The process of procuring new operators is now underway, with both new franchises due to commence in February 2016.

Publishing tender documents for bidders last week, the Government has made pre-election promises that new franchise holders must replace outdated Pacer trains, introduce a brand new fleet of modern trains, add over 200 new train services every day across both franchises and provide over one-third more capacity across both franchises.

The response from government comes after a period of consultation. Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, explained: "More people than ever are using the north's railways, and the demand for travel by rail into our great northern cities is predicted to grow into the future.

"Passengers, businesses, local communities and their representatives across the north told us that railway services must be revitalised and expanded upon under the new franchises in order to be fit for the twenty-first century and to achieve our vision for the "northern powerhouse.""

The documents set out the minimum level of improvements bidders hoping to secure the next franchises will need to include in their detailed proposals. The shotlisted companies invited to tender are Abellio Northern Ltd, Arriva Rail North Limited, and Govia Northern Limited for the Northern franchise, and First TransPennine Express Limited, Keolis Go-Ahead Limited, Stagecoach TransPennine Express Trains Limited for the TransPennine Express franchise.

A response to the consultation over the future of the franchises was drafted on behalf of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, who lead on the rail work stream for Transport for the North - a new alliance of the north's key authorities and agencies that was set up by the government in October 2014.

As in the long term strategy from Rail North, the need for Rotherham to have improved rail connectivity was raised in the response that stated that despite having a new £8.5m station, the town is not as well served by rail, having only local stopping services to Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds with infrequent trains to York.

The response put forward ideas around longer distance services and different patterns of local services. It added that, with its redeveloped station, Rotherham should have direct links to principle cities, including Manchester, as well as Manchester Airport.

The response also discussed the potential for a second TransPennine Express service between Doncaster and Manchester which "creates an opportunity to specify that at least one service operates via Rotherham."

There is also a long standing aspiration to improve the frequency of services to Rotherham and provide direct links to additional destinations and other potential new services to Rotherham include a "Northern Express" faster service between Sheffield and Doncaster, and making more use of Northern's low frequency Sheffield – Pontefract – York route.

The tender documents don't make specific reference to improving serives to Rotherham but discusses the fact that, as the exact scope and outputs of the important South TransPennine route infrastructure enhancements are not yet finally settled, the government is not in a position to specify the future service enhancements.

Department for Transport website

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News: Tram-train trundles on

The next phase of the innovative Tram-Train trial between Sheffield and Rotherham sees Network Rail consult on its plans for the key piece of track to link the railway and Stagecoach Supertram networks at Tinsley.

The delayed pilot project, first mentioned in 2009, is now set to begin in 2017, running vehicles on both rail and tram networks, using the freight route from Rotherham and then joining the Sheffield Supertram network at Meadowhall South.

Operated by Stagecoach, three trams an hour would run all day from Sheffield city centre through the redeveloped Rotherham Central station to Parkgate retail park.

With funding from the government, the £60m pilot scheme is set to run for two years with a view to permanent operation. If it is successful, it opens the way for tram trains to be introduced in other parts of the country.

The partners in the project are Network Rail, Department for Transport, Northern Rail, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and Stagecoach Supertram. The project was approved by Government in 2012 and forms part of the Sheffield City Region Devolution Deal.

Last year, transport leaders in the Sheffield city region were forced to write to the Transport Secretary to express some concerns about the delays to the project and to seek a way to resolve them.

Now Network Rail has begun consultations and local residents, landowners, rail and tram passengers are invited to comment on the construction plans for 150 metres of track at Tinsley.

Warrick Dent, area director for Network Rail, said: "This is an exciting stage of the project as we consult on plans which, if approved, will turn years of meticulous planning into Britain's first operational Tram Train service. This will improve journeys between Sheffield and Rotherham and boost the local economy by giving improved access to jobs, education and leisure activities as well as directly creating around 35 new jobs.

"Tram Trains are a common sight in Europe and we believe they could help to improve journey options for passengers around our towns and cities. Even though the Tram Trains run elsewhere, we have had many complex issues to work through with our partners in the project to make sure that the vehicles can operate safely in Britain without causing unnecessary disruption to regular tram and rail passengers."

In addition to the construction of the chord, further work to make the scheme a reality will include electrification of the rail line from Meadowhall South to Rotherham Central Station and Rotherham Parkgate. New platforms will also be built at Meadowhall South and at Rotherham Parkgate, and platform's and the revamped Rotherham Central Station will be extended to facilitate the new service. Contractors, Carillion have been working on design and establishment works and the lowering of tracks at three bridges in Rotherham to accommodate overhead power lines.

The vehicles are currently being manufactured by Vossloh in Spain, and work to the tramway and depot to accommodate Tram Trains is well underway. The first of seven Tram Trains will arrive in September 2015 for testing and people will be able to travel on them on the Stagecoach Supertram network before October 2016.

Tram Train passenger services on the rail network will start in early 2017.

Consultation events are being held at The Skills Source Academy in Sheffield on February 6 and 7 and the plans are also on Network Rail's website.

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News: New rail operators need to support economic growth

The new franchise holders for train operations in the North need to play their part in supporting economic growth in the Sheffield city region (SCR), but the cut backs have already begun.

The Northern and TransPennine Express franchises provide many rail services across the North of England, including all services into Rotherham. The process of procuring new operators is now underway, with both new franchises due to commence in February 2016.

A response to the consultation over the future of the franchises has been drafted on behalf of the SCR Combined Authority, the body that brings together an integrated transport authority (ITA) and an economic prosperity board (EPB) in order to align political decision making around strategic economic development and transport.

The response places emphasis on the economic growth agenda and the levels of investment planned for the region. It highlights the importance of rail provision to supporting economic growth and the need to service target growth areas, including Waverley. In terms of investment, the new franchise holders are being asked to support the joint calls by transport executives across the North (Rail North) for improved connectivity between northern cities and their connections to the international "gateways" - airports and ports.

Specifically, calls are being made for two trains per hour between Doncaster and Manchester via Sheffield, in addition to the Norwich - Nottingham - Liverpool service. The SCR should have three services each hour between Sheffield and Manchester offering a fast and consistently high quality inter city service.

Rolling stock is also highlighted as a key issue for the Northern franchise, where the average age of trains is over 24 years, with few trains under 20 years old. Most trains do not meet standards for accessibility.

As in the recent long term strategy from Rail North, the need for Rotherham to have improved rail connectivity is raised in the response. This may be by longer distance services, or by different patterns of local services. With its redeveloped station, Rotherham should have direct links to principle cities, including Manchester, as well as Manchester Airport. The response discusses the potential for a second TransPennine Express service between Doncaster and Manchester which "creates an opportunity to specify that at least one service operates via Rotherham."

The report states: "Rotherham, with a population of 125,000, is the largest town in the area between Leeds, Sheffield, York and Doncaster. Although it is considerably larger than Wakefield, Rotherham is not as well served by rail, having only local stopping services to Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds with infrequent trains to York. Although there are three trains per hour between Rotherham and Sheffield, they do not operate on an even interval, reducing the attractiveness to potential passengers.

"There is a long standing aspiration to improve the frequency of services to Rotherham and provide direct links to additional destinations."

Other potential new services to Rotherham include a "Northern Express" faster service between Sheffield and Doncaster, and making more use of Northern's low frequency Sheffield – Pontefract – York route.

All these improvements will come at a cost and the government has started the refranchising by talking about "trade-offs" - for example, more routes but higher ticket prices or new trains but fewer routes.

The response stated that: "Whilst trade-offs may be appropriate, this must be seen in the context of wider growth, which is why the authority, through membership of Rail North, is pursuing involvement in franchising. We believe that future "zero growth" franchises will harm the economy.

"At a time when the rail network is experiencing unprecedented passenger growth, a reduction in service provision is not an acceptable trade-off to the SCR; instead, we wish to see a more ambitious focus on increasing patronage at low use stations, increasing their long-term viability, and improved connectivity."

The government will undoubtedly look 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.

This week, Northern Rail, which is owned by a 50:50 joint venture between Serco Group plc, the international services company, and Abellio, a subsidiary of NS Dutch Railways, announced that it was restricting the use of off-peak travel.

Currently off-peak day singles and returns are only restricted in the morning peak period but from September 8, passengers will have to pay more for singles and returns to travel in the afternoon peak period between 4pm and 6:30pm.

Northern Rail website

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News: New study into Rotherham rail connectivity

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is looking to identify the level of rail service required to support Rotherham's economic and transport needs.

The SYPTE works in partnership with the local councils and transport service operators to manage public transport infrastructure, run the local bus, train and tram services and provide walking and cycling routes.

The executive is appointing experts to carry out a Rotherham Rail Connectivity Study to inform stakeholders of the level of rail service required to support Rotherham's economic and transport needs, setting out how these align with the overall public transport network. If the study determines that additional rail services are required, it should set out how to deliver them in the most cost effective way.

The study will look at if the existing infrastructure can support the services needed or what changes are required if the infrastructure isn't up to scratch.

For a town of its size and economic importance Rotherham has only three services per hour, operating at irregular intervals and with comparatively slow journey times. The town centre is benefitting from a £8.5m redevelopment of the station but there are perceived to be a number of physical constraints restricting an increase in service level to Rotherham, including numerous flat junctions, single track sections such as the Holmes Chord and lack of capacity at the main destinations (i.e. Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster).

SYPTE joined forces with other transport organisation across the North of England to create Rail North. It commissioned a strategy to set the agenda for the specification and management of future passenger rail franchising in the North should responsibility be devolved from central Government for the Northern and Transpennine rail franchises. The Government is however looking to establish a partnership rather than full devolution.

The strategy identifies Rotherham as key urban centre which should have direct links to the main urban centres in the North - Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool - and also to London and Manchester Airport.

Earlier this year, Network Rail finalised its investment plan for the period to 2019 which includes the Tram Train trial to Sheffield but doesn't address capacity and performance issues on the Sheffield – Rotherham – Leeds line. Consultation is underway regarding the next TransPennine Express (TPE) and Northern rail franchises that are being re-let in 2016.

SYPTE website

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News: Northern Rail picks up contract extension

Train operator, Northern Rail, has secured an extension to its contract to run train services across the North, which will now run until February 2016 when a new long-term franchise will be let.

Owned by a 50:50 joint venture between Serco Group plc, the international services company, and Abellio, a subsidiary of NS Dutch Railways, Northern Rail was formed in December 2004 when the parent companies won the franchise contract to operate train services in the North of England until April 2014.

The Government announced today that the contract will be extended and the deal has been co-signed by all five North of England Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs).

Serco estimates that its share of total revenue from operating the service over the 22-month franchise is around £520m.

Northern Rail is working with the DfT to secure the introduction of electric trains to the newly electrified rail routes in the North. Serco and Abellio have achieved significant performance improvements since the franchise began in December 2004, as well as investing around £30m into the railway.

As well as key rail services to the town, Northern Rail operates the newly refurbished Rotherham Central station. Led by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) together with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC), Northern Rail, Network Rail and the Department for Transport, and part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013, the £10.4m improvements have seen the number of passengers using the station grow to over half a million a year.

Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said: "Rail travel across the north will be transformed over the next five years through huge levels of government investment.

"However, I am well aware that there is a need for action now. So I have insisted on even tougher punctuality, reliability and passenger satisfaction targets for Northern Rail.

"We will also continue to work closely with the operator to deliver additional electric trains which will strengthen services across the network."

Key projects include the electrification of the Midland Mainline to Sheffield and The Northen Hub, the cluster of rail enhancements which will result in quicker journeys between Manchester and Sheffield.

The Northen Hub also has the potential to bring faster services to the redeveloped Rotherham Central and an extra train every hour throughout the day to Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool.

The Department for Transport and Northern Rail are continuing to work on proposals to deliver a fleet of electric trains for the franchise, which would see existing diesel stock released to strengthen other services during the period of the deal.

The operator will also provide new passenger information screens at a further 100 train stations and will work to make buying tickets more convenient.

David Stretch, managing director for transport services at Serco, said: "We look forward to continuing to work alongside Abellio, the PTEs and other regional stakeholders to help drive improvements and greater efficiencies - benefiting both our fare-paying passengers and the taxpayer."

Northern Rail website

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