Passengers are expressing frustration with Northern Rail after a significant rise in compensation payouts. Many commuters feel that delays have become a frustrating part of their daily routine.
New data shows they spent £500,000 more on compensation compared to 2023. It seems delays have become a regular occurrence since Labour took over.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that Northern spent £1.5 million on compensation from June to December 2024. November was particularly bad, with £382,781 paid out.
Stella Connery, a 22-year-old student, dreads her daily commute from Urmston to Liverpool. She often leaves three or four hours early just to avoid delays.
Northern’s regional director, Craig Harrop, apologized for the issues. He acknowledged that their performance hasn’t been good enough and promised improvements.
Matt Rice, the chief operating officer, also expressed regret and mentioned efforts to improve train crew availability. They’re working on new agreements for drivers and conductors to enhance service reliability.
Since 2020, Northern has been government-run, and Labour has promised to renationalize the railways. Bev Craig, the Labour leader of Manchester council, believes fixing rail performance is crucial for the economy.
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport admitted that passengers are being let down. They’re committed to overhauling the railways and ensuring better services for everyone.
