News

Volunteers at one of Northern’s Greater Manchester stations have added a splash of colour to the platforms by installing new artwork and planting flowers.  

Special rail services have taken place between Newcastle and Morpeth as plans to reintroduce passenger trains on the Northumberland Line gather pace.

Northern is letting football fans across the region know that the rail operator is ready for the kick-off of the new season.

Aside from a few short weeks last year, fans have been absent from matches for 18 months and Northern has put the time to good use - making improvements across its network.

As part of Northern’s Better Way to Go campaign, improvements have been made to trains and stations, and customers also now have more and better ways to buy their tickets than ever before.

Mark Powles, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said: “During the past 18 months we’ve invested in significant improvements across our network. We’ve completed the introduction of our new trains, have fully refurbished our older trains and enhanced the majority of our stations.

“As football fans return to the network this weekend for the start of the new Premier League season, they will see palpable changes wherever they travel.”

And it’s not just physical changes that will greet those travelling for the first time in several months.

Northern has transformed the way in which customers can pay for their travel and there’s now more choice than ever before when it comes to buying tickets. Great value fares are available direct from Northern using the mobile app and, with more than 600 new ticket vending machines as well improvements to web purchasing, buying ticket is now easier and more convenient too.

Mark added: “Our message to customers is clear. Thanks to the improvements we’ve made and the new ticketing options available, there has never been a better time to use Northern to go do your thing.”

Those who do return to the railway this weekend can do so with confidence as Northern continues to provide enhanced cleaning at its stations and on-board its trains.

Northern has more than 600 dedicated cleaning staff working on trains and at stations with a particular focus on touch points (tables, buttons and toilets). The enhanced cleaning regime is designed to protect customers and staff by reducing the potential risk of transmission.

And the operator is also asking customers to be considerate of others and, if able, to continue wearing face coverings on trains and at stations.

New artwork created by students at one of Northern’s stations in County Durham is raising awareness for mental health and spreading messages of hope.  

New panels have been added to a mural welcoming passengers to Blaydon station, which celebrates the town’s racing heritage.  

Volunteers at one of Northern’s stations are celebrating success at a prestigious flower show.

Mums and babies in Leeds enjoyed a day out on Northern services as part of a scheme to encourage young families to feel comfortable on the railway. 

Northern is warning customers that some disruption is likely this weekend as the rail operator continues to feel the impact of coronavirus.

Northern is warning rail users in South Yorkshire to expect disruption to journeys on Sunday 18 July.

Northern is asking customers in South Yorkshire to plan their travel carefully this weekend and, on a small number of routes, is asking people not to travel on Saturday (17 July).

• Platform 1 mental health charity in Huddersfield takes delivery of 19-tonne restored train carriage, delivered by crane
• Charity won a Department for Transport (DfT) competition to ‘Transform a Pacer’ and will use it for an educational kitchen
• Competition marked the end of the line for the unpopular Pacer trains on the Northern network

Northern is asking customers in the North West to check before they travel this weekend as the rail operator continues to feel the impact of coronavirus.