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  • The Railway Magazine

    Northern and SWR in crisis – two others fight to survive

    Feb 03, 2020 5 minutes
    JOHN VAUGHAN
    ROBIN STEWART-SMITH

    IT HAS been confirmed the Northern franchise could be turned over to an operator of last resort.

    This follows the current franchising system becoming effectively dead in the water over the past few weeks.

    Northern’s dire situation was underlined in a written statement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who said: “On October 16, 2019, I informed the House, through the Transport Select Committee, I had issued a request for a proposal to the current Northern franchisee, Arriva Rail North (ARN) and to the Operator of Last Resort, as the first phase of securing options for the continuation of passenger services on the Northern franchise.

    “This was triggered by concern over the financial position of ARN.

    “It has now been confirmed to me from the most recent available financial information that the franchise will only be able to continue for a number of months.

    “The proposal I requested from ARN is being

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