TRANSPORT secretary Grant Shapps has said he plans to strip Northern of its rail franchise.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, Thursday, Mr Shapps said he "simply will not put up with" the troubled service and has "already kicked off that process" to remove the franchise.
Northern’s deal was due to run until April 2025, but has been widely criticised amid timetable chaos over the past two years.
The firm runs trains in and out of stations across the borough, including St Helens Central, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Lea Green and St Helens Junction.
Today, it was announced that fares would rise for commuters by an average of 2.7 per cent.
Grant Shapps
Mr Shapps said: “I do not think that the service being run by Northern is anywhere near acceptable.
“I am simply not prepared for the service on Northern to carry on as it is and I am taking action.”
Mr Shapps, who also criticised Trans Pennine Express’s recent performance, said he had written to the relevant parties in the autumn outlining his intentions to make changes.
Politicians across the north west including metro mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham have called for Northern to be stripped of the franchise.
A review by Keith Williams, commissioned by the government, is set to be published soon.
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