Northern Rail to lose its franchise (Read 614 times)

[donc]

Not before time.


news.sky.com/story/northern-to-be-stripped-of-its-rail-franchise-as-fares-across-uk-rise-by-2-7-11899515

[lv426]

Well, yes.
But:
1: Those of their problems that arise from infrastructure issues (too many trains, not enough tracks and platforms, late engineering, incomplete electrification, low prioritisation of Northern services vs. others, etc., etc.,) will not magically vapourise when the business changes hands
2: Those of their problems that arise from the late arrival of new trains and/or teething faults on same will not suddenly vapourise
3: Those of their problems that arise from restrictive working practices effectively enforced by the Unions (including but not limited to, for example, the ridiculous Sunday working arrangements on the West side) will not suddenly vapourise

Most of the things that have adversely affected Northern in recent times are not immediately dependent on who owns and runs the franchise. The track is the same; other operators' services are the same; the staff are the same (and are TUPEd on the same conditions and contracts) and so on.

In the meantime - is it as likely that a new incumbent (whether it is Government owned or otherwise) will, for example, continue with promotional activities such as the £10 rover offer?

What is really needed is a bottom up + top down refresh of the entire operation. So doing would undoubtedly bring with it much further disruption at least in the short term.

I mean - suppose (and I fully acknowledge the sensitive nature of this comment) it is decided to modernise, and part of this is that crew MUST adopt new contracts and working practices including full 7 day rosters, Driver Controlled Doors, limitations on industrial action and so on. The only way to achieve that would to to fully break with the ongoing legacy of a former nationalised industry with a militant union - to do away with TUPE for virtually everyone. In effect they would all have to be made redundant and then invited to reapply for new jobs with a new company on new terms - or stay out of work. To do that in one fell swoop would likely leave us with practically no services (or, at best, something akin to the strike day pattern we saw when the last dispute was active) for possibly some time.

[alemaster]

First of all, lets look at the real reason the DfT is preparing to take back the franchise and arrange for continuity of operation - Arriva Rail North will be going bankrupt very soon and cease trading. Much less about poor performance as all the political posturing has suggested.

There are a lot of problems at Northern, you could argue to some extent there has been poor management, however all the problems do stem from issues outside their control:

- Network Rail failed to complete infrastructure upgrades the franchise plan relied on in time, most notably the electrification of Manchester-Preston
- Inadequate track capacity around Manchester, especially Castlefield Junction, for the increased number of service operated by both Northern and Transpennine Express. This requires major investment in infrastructure to resolve.
- Delays to driver and conductor training caused by late completion of electrification and late delivery of new rolling stock meaning trains having to be cancelled to free up staff to be trained.
- Industrial action over the safety critical role of the Conductor-Guard that lets face it, was imposed on Northern in the franchise by a Conservative government wanting a fight with the unions. This is a dispute that could easily be solved with genuine negotiation as it was in Scotland - I'm sure the union would be happy to agree to a modernisation of the role as long as the conductor remains safety qualified and actively involved in the safe operation of the train.

The balancing of terms and conditions of train crews in the North East and North West, who in the past worked for different franchises would not only cost the operator more money (pay increases and need to recruit more staff) but would need to address cultural difference. In the North East Sunday is part of the working week but the salary is higher, in the North West the salary is lower but the work-life balance is better.

Most of the above problems will still be there with a new operator, although the new operator will take over an operation that now has many of the brand new trains already in service and the extra staff already recruited and in training. The DfT could also offer new terms without a driver only operation requirement.

[lv426]

And so, it is confirmed, from 1 March