MP urges rail bosses to change ‘bonkers’ drivers’ contracts after Bank Holiday misery for commuters

Local MP Tim Farron has written to bosses at Northern to urgently look at changing rail contracts which are leading to commuters across being South Cumbria being stranded on Sundays.

Last Sunday, nine trains on the Furness Line were cancelled while there were seven cancellations on the Lakes Line on the same day - all down to shortages of drivers.

Drivers and conductors in the north-west area of the Northern franchise are not contractually obliged to work on Sunday.

Tim has also written to the new Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, urging him to work with Northern to get this resolved.

Tim said: "It's been great to see the quality of trains improve over the summer with brand new rolling stock, but sadly we aren't seeing the quality of service improve. And now passengers have been left stranded on one of the busiest weekends of the year because of these bonkers rules.

"Imagine going to a restaurant which is advertised as open, sitting down, paying for your meal in advance and then being told it's hit and miss as to whether the chef will turn up because he doesn't actually have to.

"If the Secretary of State doesn't want to be seen as another Failing Grayling then he needs to sit down with Northern to urgently address this so that passengers are able to get that reliable service that they pay for and deserve."