Posted 7th January 2020 | No Comments

7 January: news in brief

TPE season ticket holders get 3% rebate

COMPENSATION for poor performance is to be paid to TransPennine Express season ticket holders that the operator said ‘cancels out the annual regulated fare increase’. TPE passengers who held a season ticket between 1 October and 31 December last year will be eligible for a 3 per cent rebate, which is slightly more than the 2.8 per cent increase in regulated fares which came into effect on 2 January. TPE has been coming under renewed pressure for the continuing high number of cancellations. TPE managing director Leo Goodwin said: ‘We know that our performance was not up to scratch at the end of last year and for this we really do apologise.  We have experienced a number of issues following the introduction of our new trains, resulting in disruption to a number of our customers journeys with us.’ Labour shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald MP said: ‘The wholesale cancellation of TransPennine Express services with the dire excuse of non-delivery of rolling stock and trained driver shortages is as shameful as it is pathetic. Where was the planning and preparation? This fractured, fragmented privatised rail system is simply not fit for purpose.’