Northern launches four business regions to help transform rail travel

Rail operator Northern has revealed four new business regions that will help transform rail travel in the North. 

From the 01 July 2016, Northern’s announced business regions will ‘go live’ helping to deliver a wide range of changes announced at the time of Arriva’s launch of the new Northern franchise on 01 April. Regional directors will lead the way from centres in Leeds, Manchester, Preston and Newcastle

Over the next four years, Northern will oversee a £1 billion investment including the rollout of 281 brand-new carriages, a 37 percent increase in peak time capacity and revamped ticketing.

Commenting on the initiative, Alex Hynes, Northern managing director said: “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.”

“From July a new team of regional directors will be based in four regional centres.  They will utilise our extensive knowledge of local customer needs and transport opportunities to build railway services that meet the needs of their region.”

Northern new business regions based at Leeds, Manchester, Preston and Newcastle

The regions will be led by four new regional directors:

• Central.  This region will be led by Liam Sumpter and based in Manchester. The region stretches as far North as Clitheroe and Colne, down to Crewe, Stoke on Trent and Buxton.

Liam Sumpter, Regional Director Central commented: “Northern’s central team will enable transformational change to railway services in the North. It’s such an exciting time for the whole region, we cannot fail to be inspired. I am delighted to be part of that.”

• East. Northern’s largest new region, based in Leeds, incorporating an area that is bordered by Hull, Nottingham, Todmorden and Armathwaite.  This region will be headed up by Paul Barnfield.

Paul Barnfield, Regional Director East said: “The transformation we will deliver at Northern during this franchise is a once in a generation opportunity.  I can’t wait to bring the benefits of that change to our customers in our east region.”

• North-East. Mike Paterson will lead this region from Newcastle. This region covers an area from Carlisle to Whitby, to Chathill and Teesside Airport.

Mike Paterson, Regional Director North East added: “The scale of investment and the quality of our people makes Northern a fantastic and exciting place to be.  From my new base in Newcastle, I want to work with our customers and stakeholders to ensure we deliver step-change improvements to rail services across the North-East.”

• West: This 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.

Sharon Keith, Regional Director West commented: “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 for the communities we serve.”