Councillor Howard Sykes MBE highlights constant Northern Rail service failures. Councillor Sykes, who is also Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Transport in Greater Manchester, says customers are experiencing a poor or non-existent service from Northern Rail.  The Oldham Liberal Democrats are tabling a resolution about this matter to 6 November Council Meeting.  This is a call to change the current operator and demand the Government act.

Councillor Sykes MBE says: “It is a great shame that Northern Rail have failed to resolve a huge raft of issues.  There are always two sides to every story, but customers are constantly reminded that Northern Rail dodges responsibility and provides a sloppy service.  The fact they have now admitted Pacer Trains will still be running in 2020 when they promised they would not is the final nail in their coffin for me.”

North West Members of Parliament and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also want to remove the franchise from the current operators.

Northern recently introduced further penalty fare routes across the network. Councillor Hazel Gloster who is seconding the motion in November said the additional penalty routes are an insult to rail users.

Councillor Gloster stated: “The quality of service has never been poorer. They need to get their service right before they think about adding extra charges to the public. It is simply unacceptable and it’s another reminder that the government need to step in and resolve this rail crisis.”