08.06.18
Minister promises Northern disruption is a priority as RDG reports improvement
Northern passengers have experienced “totally unacceptable” service recently, rail minister Jo Johnson admitted yesterday.
Meeting with the mayor of Greater Manchester and leaders of Northern and Network Rail, Johnson warned that efforts to reduce the disruption following timetable changes must continue, and that passengers must be fairly compensated, although he praised the improvements seen over the last two days.
Referring to the recent chaos across the Northern rail network, he said: “Northern passengers have experienced totally unacceptable levels of service recently and it is my priority that we put this right as quickly as possible and passengers are properly compensated.”
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by Northern staff during the disruption, and thanked passengers for demonstrating patience.
Yesterday, the Rail Delivery Group confirmed that 654 trains have run on Northern, with 83% arriving as planned, and 3% of trains either cancelled or arriving significantly late.
This compares positively to the first two weeks of the new timetables, which saw just 69% of trains arrive as planned, with an average of 11% of trains cancelled or significantly late.
Full details on passenger compensation will be set out by the industry soon.
Top image: LBC, PA Wire, PA Images
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