Her comments come as she takes leadership of the region’s new North East Rail Partnership, where she will meet regularly with rail partners and Government to improve rail services, delivering her ambition for rail as set out in the Mayor’s Transport Plan and Interim Local Growth Plan.
The Mayor has spoken extensively about the need for rail devolution to drive improvements needed across the network.
In response to the Government’s consultation on the Rail Bill and at the Mayor’s first Rail Partnership Board, the Mayor has called for Westminster to hand over new powers in order to:
- Drive performance and reliability of local services, to ensure trains run on time.
- Improve access and facilities at stations.
- Manage or own local railway stations – giving Mayor’s the powers to implement local improvements quickly.
- Create simpler tickets for rail passengers which integrate with the region’s bus, Metro and ferry services.
- Unlock the region’s potential by reopening the Leamside Line which will help to tackle a major bottleneck on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The Mayor has also called for upgrades to the ECML in the North East which is at capacity, holding back regional growth and opportunities.
- Allow Mayors to work together to tailor routes and timetables to better meet the needs of local passengers.
The Mayor called for a shake-up of rail powers while welcoming a new partnership with the new rail body, Great British Railways.
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “I want to make the North East the home of real opportunity – and in transport that means that people can get to work, training and enjoy what our region has to offer.
“I hear regularly from passengers who are frustrated with the state of rail services – especially about late and cancelled trains, and also a lack of accessibility right across the network - including at stations - which can make it impossible for people to get to where they need to be.
“Through the Rail Bill, we need Mayors to be given new devolved powers for rail to truly transform travel for local passengers. We need to be able to shape our rail networks, provide better integration and improve accessibility for everyone. We know the needs of our communities and we are best placed to get it right.
“This week I met with the rail operators at our new Rail Board, and they have explained what steps they are taking to make trains more punctual in our region. It is a great start but there is much more to do.
“My plan to create a green and integrated Angel Network will see publicly controlled buses and new Metro trains working together as part of an integrated transport network. I want local rail services to be part of the network too, with integrated timetables and ticketing, and trains and stations that are fully accessible. We need more powers to ensure that rail travel better meets the needs of our communities.”
The North East Rail Partnership Board builds on the commitment in the North East Deeper Devolution Deal for a formal rail partnership between the North East Combined Authority and Great British Railways (GBR). It includes members from GBR, Network Rail, Department for Transport , DfT Operator Limited and Transport for the North.