All change ahead for rail business

Northern has announced four new business regions that will play a key role in transforming rail travel in the North.
New Northern Rail bossNew Northern Rail boss
New Northern Rail boss

From regional centres in Preston, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle, regional directors will lead the delivery of wide ranging changes announced on Arriva’s launch of the new Northern franchise on 1 April.

The new Northern regions will ‘go live’ on July 1.

Northern operates one of the largest transport networks in the UK, providing more than 16,000 weekly train services to a population of 15 million people.

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Over the next four years customers will benefit from a £1 billion pound investment that will see the rollout of 281 brand-new carriages, a 37 per cent increase in peak time capacity and revamped ticketing.

Alex Hynes, managing director commented: “Regions are at the heart of our new franchise. They will enable the transformation of Northern, bringing our people and service delivery closer to the communities and customers we serve.”

The regions will be led by four new regional directors:

The West region covers Northern’s services from Ellesmere Port, through to Liverpool, Blackpool and the Cumbrian coast.

Sharon Keith will be the regional director, working from a new Northern base in Preston.

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Sharon, pictured, said: “I’m excited to be part of a team that will deliver such a significant transformation for the people of the North. Our new West region is an incredibly diverse area; from great cities to beautiful countryside and coastland. I look forward to being part of Northern to deliver the best service possible.”