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Northern rail: Politicians call for Pacer trains compensation Northern rail: Politicians call for Pacer trains compensation
(32 minutes later)
Politicians in northern England are demanding that passengers still having to use the heavily-criticised Pacer trains should be offered reduced fares.Politicians in northern England are demanding that passengers still having to use the heavily-criticised Pacer trains should be offered reduced fares.
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis and Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake have told train operator Northern using the ageing units is unacceptable.Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis and Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake have told train operator Northern using the ageing units is unacceptable.
Pacers are 1980s-built railbuses meant as a short-term alternative for trains.Pacers are 1980s-built railbuses meant as a short-term alternative for trains.
Northern had planned to withdraw them all by the end of this year.Northern had planned to withdraw them all by the end of this year.
The much-derided Pacers were originally constructed from the body of a bus frame and intended to have a maximum lifespan of 20 years.The much-derided Pacers were originally constructed from the body of a bus frame and intended to have a maximum lifespan of 20 years.
In a letter to Northern, Mr Burnham, Mr Jarvis and Ms Blake said it was "unacceptable" that Northern would still be running services using Pacers into 2020, and called for an urgent meeting.In a letter to Northern, Mr Burnham, Mr Jarvis and Ms Blake said it was "unacceptable" that Northern would still be running services using Pacers into 2020, and called for an urgent meeting.
"However, the alternative of withdrawing the Pacers without any alternative replacements, would be an even worse outcome.""However, the alternative of withdrawing the Pacers without any alternative replacements, would be an even worse outcome."
"As we are forced into accepting the temporary retention of Pacers, we expect you to commit, as a matter of urgency, to appropriate financial compensation to the passengers affected.""As we are forced into accepting the temporary retention of Pacers, we expect you to commit, as a matter of urgency, to appropriate financial compensation to the passengers affected."
They said fares should be reduced on all affected routes while the trains were being used.They said fares should be reduced on all affected routes while the trains were being used.
Passengers "deserve a reliable, daily rail service", they added.Passengers "deserve a reliable, daily rail service", they added.
Pacer trains have been regularly used on busy commuter routes, including those into Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sheffield and York, as well as on the Merseyrail network.Pacer trains have been regularly used on busy commuter routes, including those into Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sheffield and York, as well as on the Merseyrail network.
Northern, owned by Arriva Rail North, previously said it was "working hard" to scrap all Pacers by the end of this year and pledged to replace them all with a new £500m fleet.Northern, owned by Arriva Rail North, previously said it was "working hard" to scrap all Pacers by the end of this year and pledged to replace them all with a new £500m fleet.
But it emerged in June that, due to manufacturing delays in the new trains, "a small number" would still be in use in 2020.But it emerged in June that, due to manufacturing delays in the new trains, "a small number" would still be in use in 2020.
A Northern spokesman said: "As a result of further delays in the construction and delivery of our new trains from manufacturer CAF, a small number of Pacer units will need to be retained for a short period of time in 2020 to deliver the planned daily timetable with the right capacity for our customers.A Northern spokesman said: "As a result of further delays in the construction and delivery of our new trains from manufacturer CAF, a small number of Pacer units will need to be retained for a short period of time in 2020 to deliver the planned daily timetable with the right capacity for our customers.
"This situation is not unique to Northern."This situation is not unique to Northern.
"From today we will have 29 of our 101 new trains in service for customers and a further 27 new trains are in final testing or being used for driver training."From today we will have 29 of our 101 new trains in service for customers and a further 27 new trains are in final testing or being used for driver training.
"The introduction of new trains from July meant the first Pacer was retired in August, with the majority of Pacers still planned to be removed by the end of this year."The introduction of new trains from July meant the first Pacer was retired in August, with the majority of Pacers still planned to be removed by the end of this year.
"We agree the North deserves the best possible rail service and are working hard to improve performance and reliability for customers.""We agree the North deserves the best possible rail service and are working hard to improve performance and reliability for customers."
Analysis
By Danny Savage, BBC North of England correspondent
Pacers are the laughing stock, rolling stock of the north. Introduced in the 1980s, they are rail-buses originally meant as a short-term solution to a shortage of trains.
Supporters say they've helped keep certain routes open and used. Detractors say they highlight the north/south divide and are relics.
Northern promised to withdraw Pacers by the end of this year. In February, the BBC reported concerns they were unlikely to meet that target but Northern strongly denied that was the case.
They insisted they would be gone by the beginning of 2020. More recently, they have admitted some Pacer units will still be in operation into next year.
Now a letter to Northern's management from northern political leaders says the retention of Pacers is unacceptable.
They say reducing fares on the affected routes is the very least that could be done and want a meeting with Northern Rail within a week to secure a compensation agreement.
There were calls for Northern to be stripped of its franchise after "carnage" following the introduction of new timetables in May 2018.There were calls for Northern to be stripped of its franchise after "carnage" following the introduction of new timetables in May 2018.
Its franchises cover the North West, Yorkshire, parts of Derbyshire, and the North East.Its franchises cover the North West, Yorkshire, parts of Derbyshire, and the North East.
What's your experience of Pacer trains?What's your experience of Pacer trains?
Use the tool below to tell us or ask a question about the story and we could be in touch.Use the tool below to tell us or ask a question about the story and we could be in touch.