Minister refuses to rule out contract extension for TransPennine rail

Northern mayors at transport summit call for operator to be removed with 20,000 trains expected to be cancelled this year

TransPennine Express bosses have been warned to sort out unacceptable" rail services, ministers said, as northern mayors demanded that the government get a grip" on the operator which is on track to cancel more than 20,000 trains this year.

TPE has already cancelled about a quarter of services in 2023, with 40% scrapped in one week in January because of a lack of staff.