Northern Connect - is it still going ahead?

[GrahamD83]

Are there still plans to launch the Northern Connect services? The page on Northern's website states they will launch in stages up to December 2019?

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/northern-connect

 

[175001]

Very much doubt it. Its gone quiet from all sides

 

[Peter Bonner]

Very much doubt it. Its gone quiet from all sides

The concept is of course an excellent one but given cancellations which I noted on some routes yesterday it wd be risky to launch it officially. It wd probably be referred to as "northern disconnect" or something similar!

 

[RealTrains07]

I know some services meant to be ran under northern connect have started

E.g Chester to Leeds

but thats a far as it has gotten and I cant see much happening anytime considering Northern impending franchise removal or short extension?

 

[js1000]

Yes, most of the 'Northern Connect' routes are already running: Liverpool to Manchester Airport, Barrow/Lancaster to Manchester Airport, Blackpool North to Manchester Airport, Chester to Leeds etc.

The one that definitely won't be going ahead is the Bradford to Manchester Airport route (due to insufficient paths through Manchester) and Bradford to Nottingham.

Arriva were required to spend £500,000 publicising the Northern Connect routes throughout 2020 as part of the franchise agreement. Although that will probably not happen now as the franchise is going to be ripped up.

 

[Andyh82]

I think 99% of mentions of Northern Connect since the first week of the franchise has been in this forum!

 

[Paceman]

Will be up to the OLR to decide now

 

[Djgr]

Who knows?

One of the things that wicks me off about Northern (apart from their inability to run a train service) is their inability to communicate what is going on or appreciate the importance of doing so.

The end result is that they come across as unprofessional and in perpetual crisis mode.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Yes, most of the 'Northern Connect' routes are already running: Liverpool to Manchester Airport, Barrow/Lancaster to Manchester Airport, Blackpool North to Manchester Airport, Chester to Leeds etc.

The one that definitely won't be going ahead is the Bradford to Manchester Airport route (due to insufficient paths through Manchester) and Bradford to Nottingham.

Arriva were required to spend £500,000 publicising the Northern Connect routes throughout 2020 as part of the franchise agreement. Although that will probably not happen now as the franchise is going to be ripped up.

What is the problem with Bradford to Nottingham?

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

I'm confused by this as well - the 195's and at least a refurbished 158 (and I presume the 331's) have an electronic seat reservation system, yet there's been no announcement about Northern Connect.

We shall see in the next franchise!

 

[Wharfe106]

What is the problem with Bradford to Nottingham?

There is another Northern Connect thread that is "live" where it is noted that Bradford-Nottingham lacks capacity and paths, and money!!