TPE have been raring to go on this for years, but it was all on hold to be deferred until the Hope Valley Capacity Improvement Scheme was completed, originally intended to be by December 2018. As that's not now going to be before December 2022 a rethink must surely be due. The reason for it being deferred until then was to allow it to be considered alongside a third fast hourly Manchester-Sheffield service, the ultimate starting and finishing points for that being part of the issue.
My understanding was that the likely intention was for Northern to get one and TPE the other, thereby sharing the route 50:50, 2 tph each, including the stopping service. However that may be too logical and is clearly taxing the DfT too much to decide. I'm sure all those operating and using the service would welcome some clarity. Of all the issues the DfT has to consider surely this can't be so hard?
It is an all but forgotten inter-city route. When Grayling recently announced the HVCIS was to go ahead (probably, subject to, eventually, not for 100% certain , read the small print) he referred to investment in rural lines, apparently overlooking the inter-City element. That was noted by both leisure users in the Hope Valley, glad to be recognised, and the more numerous regular inter-City travellers!
Surely a decision can be made before the next May timetable decisions have to be implemented ? Planning for December is already well advanced so a switch of TOC for May might be logical.