Telent has strengthened its long‑term partnership with Northern Trains Limited (NTL) after being awarded a significant three‑year term contract covering specialist support and maintenance across Northern’s extensive station estate.
Under the agreement, Telent will be responsible for the upkeep of more than 12,000 Station Information and Security Systems (SISS) assets spanning over 500 stations. These assets include critical passenger‑facing and safety technologies such as CCTV, Customer Information Screens (CIS), Public Address (PA) systems and Passenger Help Points (PHP) — all central to the safe, informed and reliable operation of the railway.
The contract covers a comprehensive suite of services, including planned and reactive maintenance, alongside ad‑hoc requirements such as CCTV footage retrieval and intruder alarm support. Together, these capabilities ensure that stations remain compliant, resilient and responsive to both operational demands and passenger needs.
Telent’s delivery will be underpinned by its ISO 55001:2014‑certified Asset Management System, providing a structured and robust approach to maintaining high levels of performance, safety and regulatory compliance across the network. The framework supports proactive asset care, helping Northern maintain service continuity while managing risk and lifecycle costs effectively.
Northern Trains, which operates under the Department for Transport (DfT), is the second largest train operator in the UK, serving millions of passengers across the North of England. With such a geographically dispersed and asset‑intensive station portfolio, the contract represents a critical element in ensuring consistent standards of passenger communication and station security.
The award also marks an important milestone in a 15‑year partnership between Northern Trains Limited and Telent, with the relationship dating back to the original contract award in 2010.
Commenting on the news, Mike Harten, Director of Transport Communications Systems and Services at Telent, said,
“We’re incredibly proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Northern Trains Limited. This contract, originally awarded in 2010, reflects the trust Northern Trains Limited places in our ability to deliver essential services that support their operational excellence and customer satisfaction.”
From the operator’s perspective, the continuation of the partnership supports Northern’s ongoing focus on safety, reliability and passenger confidence throughout its station environment.
Rob Ellams, Head of Property at Northern said “Telent’s expertise and dedication have been vital in enhancing passenger communications and safety across our stations. We are confident that this partnership will continue to support our mission to ensure the continued provision of critical passenger rail services across the North of England.”
As the rail industry continues to prioritise asset reliability, digital visibility and customer experience, the renewed agreement highlights the role of long‑term, specialist partnerships in delivering consistent outcomes across complex station networks.
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