ARRIVA has won the franchise contract to operate trains on the Mid Cheshire line that serves Knutsford, Plumley, Mobberley and Ashley.

The government has announced this morning that it intends to award the current Northern Rail franchise to Arriva Rail North Limited, and the TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited.

Together they will oversee a massive £1.2 billion boost to rail services with brand-new modern trains, more seats, more services and a host of improvements to deliver a 'modern, 21st century passenger experience'.

As part of the government’s commitment to ensure local passengers are at the heart of the rail network and devolve power to those that know their economies and customers best, the franchises will be jointly managed from Leeds by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited - which represents 29 local authorities across the north.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We promised passengers in the north west a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality – and I’m delighted that we have found two operators that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.

“In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth – today we’ve put that right.

“Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and – coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital Transpennine route – will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for the north west.”

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities said: “Passengers were clear that they wanted to see a transformation including a lot more newer, better, trains running more regularly with a step change in services provided off-peak and on Sundays. They also wanted improvements to stations and changes to make ticketing easier - and thanks to all the partnership work by Rail North and the Department for Transport, that's exactly what we are able to announce today."

Arriva Rail North Limited will run the Northern franchise – which is the second largest in the UK and operates regional and commuter services across the region – from April 2016 until March 2025.

The operator will oversee the complete removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacers by the end of 2019, introduce more than 2,000 extra services each week, and will invest £400 million in 281 brand new air-conditioned carriages to be rolled out across the north – more than double the minimum required in the government’s Invitation to Tender.

In the north west, specific improvements on the Northern network include:

• Longer trains and more frequent services providing space for nearly 13,000 more passengers – around 26% more capacity – into Manchester and Liverpool during the morning rush hour.

• More services into Manchester from Liverpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Chester, Hazel Grove and Macclesfield; into Manchester Airport from central Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington Central; and a new direct service from Chester to Leeds. 

• improved ticketing, including mobile and print-at-home tickets, and discounted fares for jobseekers. 

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said: “We are proud to be given the opportunity to transform rail travel for passengers in the north of England and to work closely with our partners to connect towns, cities and communities like never before.

“We will be investing more than £1billion to deliver a step-change in quality for customers and dramatically improving services, stations, information and ticketing. Our aim is to be the communities’ local railway and to leave a positive lasting legacy for the north of England.”

Both operators will provide free Wi-Fi – on TransPennine Express services and stations by July 2018, and on all Northern services and 36 stations by December 2019 – with media servers on trains providing entertainment and information to smartphones and tablets.

The government will receive £400 million in premiums from First Trans Pennine Express Limited over the life of the franchise; previously, the franchise was subsidised by the government. The amount of annual subsidy the government pays for the Northern franchise will be reduced by £140 million by the end of the nine-year contract.

Following the announcement, and in accordance with usual procurement practice, there will be a standstill period of 10 days before the department will be in a position to enter into, and complete, the formal contractual documentation and make the award to Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited.