Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans are in place to support Northern Rail in retiring all Pacer trains by the revised date of May 2020.

Northern’s Franchise Agreement stipulates that Pacers and other older types of trains cannot be removed until they can be replaced by another train into passenger service. This is to protect the stability of the rail timetable. Unfortunately, manufacturing delays with the new fleet have meant a small number of pacers will remain in service into 2020.

We will work alongside Northern to progress all options to remove Pacers as soon as possible however our top priority is to ensure a stable service for passengers.