By MPs ‘demand action’ over ‘abysmal’ service
Yesterday, local MPs met with representatives for TransPennine Express to discuss the ‘abysmal’ services in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Scunthorpe.
Lia Nici, MP for Great Grimsby, Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes and Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe, conducted a Zoom call with the provider where they “agreed to update customers on improvements” to the service.
This comes after months of disruption, delays and cancellations which led customers to say they are ‘fed up’ with the situation, labelling TPE ‘a disgrace.’
Now Lia Nici and Martin Vickers have ‘demanded action’ from the Department of Transport and TransPennine Express.
Mr Vickers said: “I have raised this with ministers on many occasions and held frequent meetings with senior management from the company.
“In July during a House of Commons debate I called on the Department of Transport to consider removing their franchise.
“I have today, along with my Grimsby colleague Lia Nici written to the new Transport Secretary appraising him of the situation and seeking a meeting to try and bring this appalling state of affairs to a head.”
TransPennine Express responded saying: “Prior to December 2021 TransPennine Express (TPE) had posted its best ever performance results, and was subsequently recognised as “Train Operator of the Year” at the Rail Business Awards.
“Since then, prolonged disruption affecting our services has been caused by a range of issues including ongoing high levels of train crew sickness, a persisting training backlog as a direct result of Covid, and infrastructure issues outside of TPE’s control.
“Combined, these factors have seen a number of on-the-day or ‘evening before’ cancellations being made.
“In normal circumstances, we have enough people to fully operate our scheduled timetable – and have more drivers now than ever before – however the combination of factors has put unprecedented pressure on our ability to effectively operate our services.
“Our customers want, and deserve, reliable and punctual train services, and we are sorry have not been able to consistently provide that due to the ongoing issues.
“TPE’s team continues to work flat-out to deliver higher levels of service delivery and to tackle the issues that are being experienced by customers.”
(Image: Lia Nici)
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