Mary Creagh MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the announcement of a new directly awarded franchise agreement to Northern Rail, said:

“This direct award is the result of this Government’s rail-franchising fiasco, which has already cost taxpayers more than £50 million. Labour will be holding the Government to account.

“Passengers struggling with David Cameron’s cost-of-living crisis must not pay the price for the Government’s incompetence through higher ticket prices and worse train services.

“Passengers will want reassurance on fares and timetables, particularly following Ministers’ mismanagement of the TransPennine Express franchise extension which means the number of trains may be cut in April 2015.”