Northerns Rail Rep contract apparently went out to contract and is due to be awarded imminently (At least a very reliable source says). The start date for that may well be in the future. I know Arriva are trying to prove themselves lately, presumably trying to win points, locating co-ordinators at every station en route including Helsby, Frodsham, Runcorn East etc etc. Normally they (and Abellio for TFW) only have people at Chester, Bank Quay and Piccadilly (or Newton Le Willows for Northern as they then put people on trains there).