Northern mayors to meet Transport Secretary over rail disruption.

[celeste]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-63806100?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA




Speaking ahead of the meeting later about the disruption, Ms Brabin said: "The transport secretary has promised to get a grip on this crisis and we welcome that.

"But the people of the North need more than warm words. We need a concrete plan that will get our rail network back on track."

Ms Brabin said as well as having a "devastating impact" on the North's economy, the rail disruption affected "attempts to rebuild from the pandemic" while communities were also dealing with the cost of living crisis.

[celeste]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63795572?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

photo

Vet Jenna Blackburn's usual commute is Chester to Manchester, changing at Warrington, often on Northern.

But she regularly gets stuck in Warrington when trains are delayed or cancelled and has to get a taxi home.

She doesn't drive and on strike days there were no trains running. She said she took taxis to and from work which cost her more than £160.

She is one of many facing disruption, with train cancellations at the highest level since records began in 2015.

Newly released data from the Office of Road and Rail shows 3.8% of trains in Great Britain have been cancelled in the year up to 12 November - or one in every 26.

"At least four times this year I've spent more on getting here and back than I have actually earnt that day," Ms Blackburn said.