The Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, has made a statement in Parliament today regarding the decision not to renew the contract of Transpennine Express (TPE), a train operating company. The announcement comes in response to ongoing service issues and disruptions experienced by passengers.
In his statement, Harper acknowledged the unacceptable service levels provided by First TPE, the operator of Transpennine Express. The company has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, industrial action, and a backlog in driver training. These factors have resulted in significant disruptions, including high cancellation rates and gaps in services. Harper emphasized the impact these issues have had on passengers, highlighting the need for improved performance.
