First Transpennine Express Franchise Agreement

The first TransPennine Express franchise agreement was signed in 2004 between the Department for Transport and FirstGroup. This agreement allowed FirstGroup to operate trains on the TransPennine Express route, which runs between major cities in the North of England.

The TransPennine Express franchise agreement was created in order to improve rail travel in the North of England by increasing the number of services, improving the quality of trains, and reducing journey times. FirstGroup was awarded the franchise for a period of ten years, during which time they were responsible for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the TransPennine Express service.

Under the terms of the franchise agreement, FirstGroup was required to invest in new rolling stock, including new locomotives and carriages, in order to improve the quality of the service. They were also required to increase the frequency of services on the route, particularly during peak periods, and to improve station facilities such as waiting rooms and ticket offices.

The franchise agreement also included a number of performance targets that FirstGroup had to meet in order to retain the franchise. These targets included punctuality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, and were monitored by the Department for Transport throughout the duration of the franchise.

Overall, the first TransPennine Express franchise agreement was seen as a success, with improvements to the service leading to increased passenger numbers and improved customer satisfaction. The agreement was renewed in 2014, with FirstGroup retaining the franchise for a further seven years.

However, the TransPennine Express service has faced some challenges in recent years, particularly with regards to the introduction of new rolling stock. Passengers have complained about overcrowding and delays, and there have been calls for the franchise to be terminated early.

Despite these challenges, the first TransPennine Express franchise agreement remains an important milestone in the history of rail travel in the North of England. It paved the way for future improvements to the service, and demonstrated the potential for private companies to successfully operate and manage UK rail franchises.