These two franchises are being relet in a single process (consultation document is here; a map of the network covered is on page 18) for the period 2016-2024/2026 in the case of Northern, and 2016-2023/25 for TransPennine Express. So if you don’t have your say now, you’re stuck with what’s provided for the next decade!

At the start of the consultation CBT’s Stephen Joseph said: “Railways in the north of England are at a junction. The Government is talking about trade-offs. For the winners that could mean newer trains and better stations but for the losers, it could be higher fares and reduced services. Getting real investment into rail is essential to the region’s economy and we’ll be looking to work with others to campaign for railways in the north to get the kind of support other parts of the country have seen.”

Here’s the easiest way to respond. There’s a template response available online for you to complete and personalise, prepared by Campaign for Better Transport as part of their Right Track North campaign. Remember – you have until just before midnight on Monday 18th August.

So far the other responses available are:

– NWTAR here

22nd July 2014 In the consultation the DfT suggests some fares are too low and need to be raised, with the increase in revenue being used to pay for newer trains. CBT’s Andrew Allan responds: Say ‘No’ to the Northern fares hike