TransPennine Express cancels dozens more rail services

TransPennine Express (TPE) has had to cancel dozens of services for a second day running with some linked to an ongoing IT problem.

The operator said a software issue that caused more than 100 cancellations on Wednesday had not yet been resolved.

TPE said it was working "flat out" to solve the problem, and knock-on delays.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has criticised TPE's performance and said the government should step in and put the firm "on immediate probation".

TPE, Avanti West Coast (AWC) and Northern have all had problems with cancellations and delays across the north of England and parts of Scotland in recent months.

The three operators introduced new timetables earlier in December, which were aimed at solving some of the problems.

TPE said the latest disruption was caused by a software issue "rather than a staffing problem", which led to it advising passengers not to travel on Wednesday.

The operator said the issue was affecting rostering and could cause further disruption over the coming days.

Mr Burnham told BBC North West Tonight the government should "step in" and put the operator on "immediate probation", as it had done with AWC.

That operator has been given until 1 April to improve its performance following a summer of problems.

The Labour mayor added that if TPE's services were not "better by the early part of January, they should be out".

A TPE spokesman said disruption over the last few months had been caused by "a range of issues, including high levels of crew sickness, a persisting training backlog as a direct result of Covid, and infrastructure issues outside of TPE's control".

He said those issues had put "unprecedented pressure" on its ability to effectively operate.

The company apologised and said it was working "flat out" on the latest issue.

The spokesman said: "As a result, we are seeing fewer cancellations today, but the knock-on effect of yesterday's problems and the underlying issues we have faced for several months continue to affect our ability to deliver a full service."

The Department for Transport said the level of disruption on the rail network was "well above what should be expected and passengers, particularly in the North, have suffered for too long".

A representative said the transport secretary had agreed a "four-pronged approach" to improve rail services in the region after a meeting with northern mayors and the government would "continue to monitor service levels closely and pressure operators to deliver improvements".

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