KEY transport bosses have hit out at train companies over an “unacceptable” rise in recent delays and cancellations.

Both TransPennine Express (TPE) and Northern, which jointly run almost every train through Bolton have been under fire.

Shocking figures released by Transport for the North (TfN) show one in three Northern trains arrived late last week, while on some days more than half of TPE services failed to show up on time.

It follows a timetable change earlier in the month which caused knock-on problems in the region, as well as weather problems and some driver shortages.

Northern has said that its new timetable was “performing well” but for TPE the problems were so severe that a temporary new timetable had to be put in place.

Following the chaos, David Hoggarth, TfN’s Strategic Rail Director, has called on both companies to “step up”.

“Already weary passengers are being tested to their limit and Christmas cheer is running short,” he said. “The services from both operators have been way below par, with so many delays and cancellations. The impact of that is northerners being late for work, missing their children’s bedtime, spending hours to travel short distances and simply avoiding trains. Too often they are left standing on the platform with little or no idea of what is happening – a rough welcome home for Christmas.

“As part of our Rail North Committee, the North’s leaders have been scrutinising operators intensively throughout the year ahead of this timetable change. We repeatedly urged the changes to be realistic and deliverable; for detailed contingency packages to be in place; for the rollout of new trains to be intensively monitored; and for staffing issues to be ironed out well in advance.

“We were repeatedly reassured that these matters would be effectively tackled. They weren’t.

“Passengers are again paying the price.”

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has repeatedly threatened both operators and asked for Northern to be removed. The responsibility for such a change lies with the government.

TfN currently works jointly with the Department for Transport to manage the region’s railways but has a relatively limited role. While the group is able to suggest changes and try to influence operators, the government retains control over most financial and contractual matters.