Happy commuters, pic stolen from Northern Rail's website |
I am no fan of the shoddy service offered
to commuters in the North of England by Northern Rail. The joint venture
between Serco and Abellio has brought nothing to the experience or helped
economic development in the region. But change is going to come – the clock is
now ticking down towards the next franchise period, just as this one has been extended for a couple more years. Hopefully the terms of the next deal will look very different indeed – a longer period and the benefits of the
Northern Hub investment.
The Rail North plan envisages a larger
franchise integrated with the local transport authorities of Greater Manchester and
beyond – that should have the benefits of integrated ticketing, electrification,
better rolling stock and more services – in short, a service fit for purpose.
It is surprising how little political traction this has. It remains a bold move - an important devolutionary step. Longer term it could also lead to franchises being run by a consortium of local transport authorities.
I do find it laughable that the Rail
Minister Stephen Hammond has set Northern Rail short term targets for improved customer
satisfaction. The first thing the management should do is measure peak time punctuality separately from the empty rattlers ambling along on time during the afternoon. Then they should massively rethink the brutal
approach to ticket checking at most stations by their G4S bouncers – it is
humiliating, unfriendly and intimidating.
But they will argue it catches fare dodgers effectively. I believe it is counter-productive.
I also worry when I read the managing
director of Northern Rail, Alex Hynes, saying efficiency and service are his
priorities and those dreaded words – “more with less”.
The Department for Transport must also insist
there is no further running down of trains to the South as First TranspennineExpress have had to give trains to Chiltern. I have noticed more and more trains are made up of just
two carriages in the evenings. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but it has to stop.
2 comments:
I'm pleased it is not just me that finds the G4S "enforcers" at the station to be rude and intimidating.
I wouldn't mind so much if Northern Rail actually managed to put someone on their trains selling tickets, or there was the facility to buy at the station I come from, but I'm treated like a fare dodger when I have no facility whatsoever to actually buy a ticket before I get confronted by them.
Completely agree. The hired goons won't even let you run to a vacant ticket machine even though they have failed to sell you a ticket at the station and on the train. I've written to their complaints team countless times and even my MP and things just get worse - glad it's just not me too!
Post a Comment