The North needs better than an unreliable fax-driven railway in 2024

MAYOR INCREDULOUS THAT NORTHERN USES '80s TECH' TO COMMUNICATE WITH STAFF

- PAUL BRITTON

UNDER-FIRE rail operator Northern has been accused of showing 'disregard to the travelling public' over its recent level of performance - as bosses admitted fax machines are still being used to communicate with staff.

Northern's chief operating officer, Matt Rice, said the 'tools' used to get messaging and information out to its train crews rely on fax machines.

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said in response the North 'needs better than an unreliable, fax-driven railway in 2024' The remarkable exchanges played out after Northern bosses were summoned to attend an emergency meeting of the Rail North Committee, which advises the board of Transport for the North on infrastructure rail services, improvements and all matters relating to rail franchises and contract management.

Mr Burnham, who said 155 Northern trains were cancelled across Greater Manchester and the North yesterday morning, last week called Northern a 'part-time rail service' over its levels of recent cancellations.

Northern was issued with a 'breach notice' for unacceptable levels of performance in July 2024, the meeting heard. The 'contractual breach performance level' on cancellations by an operator is 7 per cent of services.

But in Northern's case, from April 28 to July 20, levels of cancellations topped 10 per cent.