Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has told BBC Breakfast that there are plans to strip Northern Rail of its franchise and that more will be confirmed ‘very soon.’
In the interview, Mr Shapps said: “It’s completely unacceptable to have a situation where trains almost routinely don’t run to a routine, don’t run on time.
“I simply will not put up with that and I’ve already kicked off that process and I will be saying more about it very soon. I will absolutely bring that situation to an end.”
When asked for clarification in that he would suggest, as Transport Secretary, that he would strip the franchise from Northern Rail, Mr Shapps said: “This is right. In the autumn, I wrote to the necessary parties in this with what is called a request for proposal – that’s simply where you say; look I’m going to take action. There are a couple of ways that can go – one is to strip the franchise, one is to have a short-term contract.
“But yes, exactly as you’ve said, I’m simply not prepared for the service of Northern to carry on as it is and I am taking action.”
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