Arriva Rail North - Arriva Rail North Past Fleet - E

Arriva Rail North - E

Arriva Rail North Past Fleet

Former train types operated by Arriva Rail North include:

Arriva Rail North Locomotive Hauled Stock

37 Loco

Replaced by Class 156 units 1960–1965 2018

68 Loco

2013–2017

Mark 2 Coach 1972–1975

DBSO 1979

Arriva Rail North Diesel Multiple Units

142 Pacer DMU

Replaced by Class 150, Class 156, Class 158 and Class 170 units.

1985–1987 2019–2020

153 Super Sprinter

Replaced by Class 150, Class 156, Class 158 and Class 170 units. 1987–1988

185 Desiro

Replaced by Class 195 and Class 331 units.

(Four subleased from TransPennine Express to operate Manchester to Blackpool / Cumbria services) 2005–2006 2019

Arriva Rail North Electric Multiple Units

1987–1990 2018–2020

Arriva Rail North Driver-Controlled Operation

The Department of Transport and Arriva Rail North had specified that the franchise must ensure that at least 50% of the aggregate Train Mileage of Passenger Services provided in each reporting period was operated as driver-controlled operation (DCO).

DCO is defined as "operation of a train by a driver alone without the need for a conductor (or any other Franchise Employee)." The franchise further specified that "Where ... a Passenger Service is operated as Driver Controlled Operation the Franchisee shall ... plan for an additional Franchise Employee (that is, in addition to the driver) to be present on such Passenger Service."

The RMT Union were unhappy about this change, as roles undertaken by guards would instead be undertaken by drivers (such as releasing the doors once the train has stopped at a station). Although Northern had said they would be willing to guarantee that a second member of staff would be on board, the use of DCO could theoretically make it possible to run a train without a guard, and as a result, the union called industrial action over the change.

On 28 November 2018, Transport for the North announced that it did not support the removal of an additional franchise employee on Northern services, was willing to consider all options that would facilitate an agreement, and urged both Northern and the RMT Union to return to negotiations, suspending strike action.

On 29 November, RMT announced that it had offered to suspend industrial action under the condition that trains would never run without a guard on the train, however, on 30 November, the union confirmed that it would continue industrial action as planned.

On 6 February 2019, the RMT announced that following "a guarantee of a conductor on all trains, including the new fleet, for the duration of the current franchise" it had suspended further industrial action on Arriva Rail North, bringing an end to consecutive strikes on Saturdays since 25 August 2018.

Arriva Rail North Criticism

Arriva Rail North also had issues staffing Sunday trains, partly due to no agreement between the driver's union ASLEF and Arriva Rail North for drivers in the former First North Western franchise area to work Sundays. This led to both 'planned cancellations' (announced the day before) and short notice cancellations due to staff shortages for several months.

There were also a significant number of cancellations on weekdays and Saturdays due to staffing issues, especially during school holidays. This led to local figures, including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, calling for Arriva to be stripped of the Northern franchise.

Arriva Rail North Overview

Arriva Rail North Franchise(s): Northern

1 April 2016 – 29 February 2020

Arriva Rail North Main Region(s): North West

North East

Yorkshire and the Humber

Arriva Rail North Other Region(s): East Midlands

Staffordshire

Arriva Rail North Fleet Size: 386 units

Arriva Rail North Stations Called At: 528

Arriva Rail North Stations Operated: 476

Arriva Rail North Parent Company: Arriva

Arriva Rail North Predecessor: Northern Rail

Arriva Rail North Successor: Northern Trains

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