Transport for the North’s Strategic Rail Programme is focussed on improving the rail provision for passengers and freight customers in line with the outcomes sought in the Strategic Transport Plan.
The Programme provides a bridge between the existing operational rail environment and the North’s future rail provision for its 15.2 million people
There are 9 operators providing DfT contracted services in the North (Northern Trains, TransPennine Trains, LNER, Avanti West Coast, Merseyrail, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry Trains, London North Western Railway, Transport for Wales)
In addition there are 3 open access operators (Hull Trains, Lumo, Grand Central) running passenger services in the North)
TfN has a specific role in overseeing the services contracted to Northern Trains and TransPennine Trains, working jointly with the DfT through the Rail North Partnership (link)
TfN provides advice to government in relation to other contracted passenger services covering the North.
The Strategic Rail priorities are set out below:
Strategic Transport Plan (STP) and Investment Programme
Secure delivery of the priorities set out in the STP and develop the ‘Rail Outlook 2030’ vision through developing a programme of investment of interventions for evidence-based recommendations to take to TfN board.
Rail Investment Pipeline and Blueprint for the North (State of Play)
Influence and steer investment priorities to provide better connectivity, capacity, and resilience of services throughout the North, developing a network aligned to the ambitions set out in the STP.
Rail Reform
Continue development of TfN’s rail reform proposition and development and delivery of pilots to embed Transport for the North’s role within Great British Railways as a key strategic partner, the unified voice for northern authorities and the business community, acting as the link between local devolution, multi-modal integration, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Great British Railway’s regions.
NPR Bridge/Way Forward
Respond to the SOBC once issued by DfT and develop the prioritisation of key interventions and integration of Network North schemes within North of England Programmes to influence and steer the outcomes to benefit the North.
Guidance and Shaping Services/Customer Offer
Ensure that partner authorities have input into proposed service changes and operator outputs and influence Train Operating Company (TOC) business plans and rolling stock strategy to secure the delivery of the priorities set out in the STP and reflect the aspirations of partner authorities and stakeholders.
Partner Support
To develop the capability of partner authorities by sharing knowledge, skills, and experience and ensure that partner authorities have input into proposed timetabled service changes and understand the impact of such changes.
Accessibility Action Plan
Influence the prioritisation of station facility improvements to bring all stations within the north up to a defined acceptable standard, improving accessibility of the rail network for all including taking forward the outputs of the Accessibility Task and Finish Group.
TransPennine Route Upgrade
Engagement in development of Concept Timetable 3 and influence the development of proposals, priorities, and timetables for the benefit of the north.
Rail Freight
Through industry and partner engagement, ensure that freight requirements are integrated into all plans and influence the development of proposals, priorities, and timetables for the benefit of the north.
Emerging Priorities/workstreams
Influence strategies and consultations for the benefit of the north.
This consultation draft Long Term Rail Strategy (LTRS) sets out Transport for the North’s (TfN) vision for the ongoing transformation of the North of England’s railway, co
Long Term Rail Strategy Key Messages sets out Transport for the North’s vision for the ongoing transformation of the North's railway till 2050.
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