Consultation on TransPennine Express Rail Franchise & Northern Rail Franchise

Wednesday 11th June 2014


Circular No. National Policy 104/14/MC

To the Secretary all Branches,
Council of Executive members,
Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Dear Colleagues,

Consultation on TransPennine Express Rail Franchise & Northern Rail Franchise
The DfT and Rail North have just published a consultation document dealing with the refranchising of both the TransPennine Express and Northern Rail. The document includes many direct attacks on RMT members, including:

•    So-called trade-offs between services, or between rolling stock and services
•    Driver Only Operation to be introduced on the Northern franchise
•    Driver Only Operation to be left at the discretion of the franchisee on the TPE
•    Reducing ticket office opening times
•    Cuts to “back room and support functions” staff
•    Possible “alliancing” between franchisees and Network Rail
•    Encouraging “local delivery models” and community rail (especially in the North East of Northern franchise)
•    Increasing fares
•    Promoting third party funding of services
•    Not specifying a timetable for TPE
•    Transferring some services between TPE, Northern and East Midlands Trains.

The document can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-northern-and-transpennine-express-rail-franchises and the Union nationally will respond. RMT will fight any attack on the livelihoods, and terms and conditions, of our members.

Yours sincerely,



Mick Cash
Acting General Secretary