Working in Partnership

We are passionate about making a positive difference to the communities that we serve but making that happen takes hard work and a commitment to building strong, effective partnerships.

The commitment of Northern people has been matched by hundreds of organisations and individuals across our network and together we have achieved many successes, from major schemes such as hiring extra trains to smaller scale improvements to facilities at individual stations or joint promotions of services on smaller lines.

We work closely with the Department for Transport and the Passenger Transport Executives in West and South Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, regional development agencies such as Yorkshire Forward, local authorities, rail and transport user groups and the voluntary sector.

Inside the rail industry, we share a common purpose with Network Rail, the owner and operator of Britain’s railway tracks and stations, and other train operators to deliver a safe, reliable railway.

Our partnership deals with some of our key stakeholders have delivered significant benefits to passengers, including:

• A £20 million deal with West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and Yorkshire Forward in 2006 to lease six additional trains in West and North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire County Council funded the lengthening of platforms to accommodate the longer rolling stock.
• We are replacing 24 older ‘Pacer’ trains with 30 more modern, air-conditioned and faster trains. Six units have been leased in partnership with Merseytravel, and four are sponsored by the Department for Transport for the new Leeds to Nottingham service, which starts in December 2008.
• Station improvement projects across the network, including Northwich, Prudhoe Interchange and Hartlepool.