Now invest in Northern rail network Grant Shapps as you ‘take back control’ of failing franchise – The Yorkshire Post says

The fact it has been universally welcomed is not just a reflection of the Arriva-owned operator’s poor performance but the failure of Chris Grayling, the previous Transport Secretary, to act.

Northern rail executive’s 18 per cent pay rise is yet another insult to passengers - Tom Richmond

And passengers will be reassured that Mr Shapps already appears to be an interventionist Cabinet minister – he’s demanded the new public sector operator to come up with a 100-day action plan to restore public confidence in the service.

Northern rail collapse will mean ‘light at end of tunnel’ for commuters here say Cabinet ministers

Yet, while Mr Shapps also appears to be managing expectations after saying that it will take time to improve services to a standard that meets the expectations of passengers, Northern’s future – and his reputation to a lesser extent – hinges on key talks ahead of next month’s Budget.

HS2 should become the ‘British Bullet’ if we’re to mean business after Brexit – The Yorkshire Post says

To use Yorkshire vernacular, these plans and promises will be the equivalent of a ‘hill of beans’ unless Chancellor Sajid Javid is persuaded to provide sufficient funding to overhaul commuter services and also back HS2 – the so-called ‘British Bullet’ – to increase capacity across the whole network.

After all, the current crisis – barely half of Northern trains run on time while TransPennine Express has an even worse record for performance – stems from decades of under-investment and failure of past governments, Tory and Labour alike, to respond to growing passenger numbers when awarding franchises.

Mr Shapps has, so far, made a good start but it is just that – a start. There are many more battles to be fought and won.