Northen mayors call for action on TPE

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and fellow Metro Mayors have today (Monday 17 April) written to Transport Secretary Mark Harper setting out the unanimous view of Northern leaders that the failing operator “needs to start afresh under new ownership”.

The current contract to operate TransPennine Express (TPE) ends in just over five weeks on 28th May. But there has been no indication from ministers of any action to ensure this failing service is improved.

There are fears that officials based in Whitehall will sign off on an extension, and consign passengers living across the North of England to many more years of chaos and misery.

The letter says: “Such a decision would be rewarding failure and be a betrayal of passengers in the North.”

The letter was also signed by the Mayors of Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, North of Tyne and Liverpool City Region.

The Northern leaders urge Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government to put the views of passengers in the North above any other considerations when making the decision on TPE’s future.