COMMUTERS leaving Bolton station this morning were travelling for the second day under Northern's 'emergency' timetable.

It comes as the operator claims to be making an effort to improve the 'horrific' level of service which has been offered since the timetable change on May 20.

Response to the changes was mixed, with some passengers still furious about delays and reductions to services, while others said the latest edition of the timetable seemed to have eased the problems.

John Finlay, who travels into Manchester often for work, said: "It's frustrating. Because I work flexible hours it's not too much pressure but for a lot of other people it's just awful. It's been not uncommon to let three trains go by before you are able to get on one.

"I think a lot of people have become resigned to it. They don't have a choice, that's the worst thing about it. At Bolton at least there's a chance to get on one of the trains that goes by, at Farnworth or Moses Gate people barely have a chance."

The latest timetable changes saw Northern axe 165 services, meaning there have been significantly fewer cancellations, although many trains are still delayed.

Zoe Stephens, on Twitter, added: "At least they're delayed not cancelled. Can deal with delays... cancellations however are another story."

Another commuter, Rosslyn Colderley, who travels from Bolton to Manchester for work, said: "It's been a massive issue. Trains have been cancelled and delayed left, right and centre. You come to the station and get greeted boards full of cancellations.

"It's horrendous and it's just been very frustrating."

Andrew Hancock, who also uses the trains to commute, added: "It's been terrible. It's just frustrating more than anything. I think when the timetable was first announced we gave them the benefit of the doubt. But on the first day it began I ended up getting the bus.

"It is slightly better this week, but not a massive amount. My train yesterday turned up with two carriages and was absolutely rammed and very hard to get on."

Northern has been suffering from an increase in delays and cancellations for over a year, but the situation began to deteriorate more quickly when the latest national timetable was introduced.

MPs have heaped pressure on Britain's transport secretary to remedy the problem, including Bolton North West's David Crausby, who secured a debate on the issue in Parliament.

Chris Grayling yesterday bowed to these complaints and announced an inquiry into the timetable change, specifically naming Northern and beleaguered Southern operator GTR - as well as a new compensation scheme for passengers.

Transport for the North have laid out a series of points the organisation expects Northern to adhere to.

Chairman John Cridland said: “We stand firmly with passengers across the North – they expect and deserve better.

“The patience of residents, businesses and visitors in the North has been tested. They have been inconvenienced and disrupted and need a rail service that they can rely on.

“As the voice of the Northern civic and business leaders, we call for Northern to:

  • Ensure any services in total are at least as good as they were before the introduction of the new timetable on 20 May 2018
  • Provide clear communication to customers so that they can plan with confidence
  • Compensate passengers who have bought advance or season tickets for the next two months, given the reduced level of service
  • Reduce the cost of journeys for customers experiencing disruption
  • Arrange for their tickets to be accepted on other rail operators and modes of transport, to provide passengers with an alternative route
  • Engage businesses and northern leaders on any future changes that may impact passengers

“We are deeply disappointed that – two weeks in from the timetable change – we are not yet seeing more improvement. We will scrutinise, challenge and track services over the coming days.

“We, as a group, commit to communities in the North to speak on their behalf and demand a service that is fit for purpose.”