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Northern: Standards

Asked by Rebecca SmithConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 15 June 2026UIN 3597

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Northern Trains Limited has taken to reduce service cancellations and improve reliability since 17 December 2025; and what percentage change in cancellations on that network has been from 17 December 2025 to the latest available data point.

Answered by Keir Mather

Northern’s performance continues to stabilise, and passenger confidence is strengthening as a result. In FY 2025-26 Northern carried 99.6 million passenger journeys, an increase of 8.5% year on year, underpinned by a more resilient and reliable service. Cancellations have remained better than target, and punctuality continues to improve, giving passengers greater confidence.

The completion of the Class 195 engine and wheelset programme this summer will improve fleet availability, meaning passengers should see fewer short-formed trains.

The Office of Rail and Road regularly publishes cancellation information at: Table 3124 - Trains planned and cancellations by operator (periodic) | ORR Data Portal

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