STORY UPDATED 09.28, 09.40
THE delayed Invitations to Tender for the Northern and TransPennine franchises have been published today, and they confirm that the unpopular Pacer fleets are to be withdrawn during the next contracts. But the RMT union condemned the plans as a 'pre-election stunt'.
The continuing presence of the small Pacer diesel units, which were based on bus bodies and built in the 1980s as cheaply as possible, had been a point of contention in the region for years.
The plans published by the Department for Transport also include at least 120 new vehicles. Meanwhile, Northern has been making progress with the upgrading of ex-Thameslink Class 319 units, and the first examples have now been unveiled. In all, up to 86 four-car Class 319s will be available for the newly-electrified routes in the North of England over the next three years.
Other features of the new ITTs include 200 more services a day, capacity increased by a third, the modernisation of every Northern train remaining in service, an investment of at least £30 million in Northern stations, a new Customer and Communities Improvement Fund which will invest around £13.8 million, and free WiFi on all Northern trains by 2020 at the latest.
The deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This is an historic moment for the North. Improving rail links in the region has been much anticipated. These old trains have been rattling across rails in the North for over 30 years; a constant source of complaint which have held the region back.
“As part of my Northern Futures initiative I asked the people of the North what they wanted to build a stronger economy and transport was top of the list. So I fought hard to replace pacer trains as soon as possible.
“Today's plans include a new fleet of trains and improved services that will better connect our great Northern towns and cities. Modernising rail in the North will encourage business, boost tourism and give commuters the journey they deserve; one that is fit for a 21st century metropolis.”
His cabinet colleague, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, added: “This is great news for passengers across the north, who will finally get a rail service that matches up to the booming economy in this region. That means more seats, more services and a brand new fleet of modern trains. Unlike the last Northern franchise in 2004, which included limited plans to invest in services or meet demand, this deal will maintain investment and grow to fit the needs of passengers for years to come.
“Together with the £1 billion investment we are making to improve the region’s railways and our plans to link east and west through HS3, our railways are making the region an economic powerhouse.”
The details in the ITTs were welcomed by Sir Richard Leese, who chairs Rail North. He said: "“We know from the consultation that passengers want to see a step-change in the quality of train vehicles, stations, more trains on Sundays and at off-peak times, and longer trains at busy peak times to ease overcrowding - and thanks to the hard work put in by Rail North, that's exactly what they're going to get.
"But this is only the starting point; the Invitations to Tender specify the minimum required from the new franchisees, and Rail North will continue to push for greater enhancements in future years which will help deliver regional economic growth by helping people get to jobs faster, in comfort and affordably."
First TransPennine Express managing director Nick Donovan hailed the issue of the tender documents as a 'significant step', while FirstGroup, which has the majority stake in FTPE, said it would now 'take time to study the detail'. A spokesman added: "We are currently in negotiations with the DfT concerning a direct award to continue this successful operation of First TransPennine Express to April 2016 and these talks are progressing well."
Meanwhile, the news gained a bleak reception from the RMT. The union's general secretary Mick Cash said: "These plans are being spun by Nick Clegg and the Tories in a pre-election stunt that they claim will modernise rail services in the North when in reality they will condemn passengers to poor quality, unsafe and destaffed services for years to come.
"The tender documents allow bidders to axe guards and move to Driver Only Operation, compromising safety in the interests of private profit. Any new trains are light years away with passengers forced to endure the misery of the clapped out Pacers, and the ancient London Underground rolling stock that's heading north, way off into the future.
"RMT is calling for a commitment from Labour that they will scrap the Northern rail carve up plans if elected and the union will make the continuing fight for jobs, safety and services a key election issue."
The Government had announced the shortlists for the franchises last August. For Northern, they are Abellio Northern Ltd, Arriva Rail North Limited and Govia Northern Limited. For TransPennine Express they are First Trans Pennine Express Limited, Keolis Go-Ahead Limited and Stagecoach Trans Pennine Express Trains Limited.
A public consultation was launched in June, asking for the views of passengers and stakeholders on how the franchises should be improved. Alongside the ITTs, the government is publishing a summary of the responses to its consultation.
Bidders for the TransPennine Express franchise have until 28 May to submit their bids. For Northern, the deadline is 26 June.