Northern have launched their own rail podcast during the lockdown

Want the inside information on how Northern runs Yorkshire's train services?
The new podcast will offer an insight into train operator NorthernThe new podcast will offer an insight into train operator Northern
The new podcast will offer an insight into train operator Northern

Northern's commitment to improving public engagement has seen them launch a new podcast about rail operations to give their customers an insight into how the vast network works.

The train operator has been under government control since March, when previous franchise holder Arriva's contract was revoked.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The new Northern has pledged to reconnect with passengers - and its staff will now be taking part in a regular podcast during lockdown.

The first episode of Proud to be Northern is now live on the Northern website and can be downloaded via Apple and Spotify.

Hosted by media relations manager Glyn Hellam, the fortnightly podcast will feature senior Northern staff as guests, and discussions will centre on how the train provider is coping with the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

This week's topics included train cleaning and the skeleton timetable currently in force during the ban on non-essential travel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Glyn was joined by directors Chris Jackson and Steve Hopkinson, and head of train presentation Jo Simmonds, who oversees the cleaning of Northern's fleet.

The panel revealed that Northern are still running around 600 trains per day in the eastern region, which covers Yorkshire - a 'dramatically reduced' number compared to normal workings.

These services are aimed at key workers travelling to hospitals and supermarkets in major cities such as Leeds, with the directors retiterating that they are 'not a leisure timetable for trips to the seaside'.

While there would ordinarily be around 415 units on the rails at any one time, this has now been cut to 146 - and Jo Simmonds explained that the increase in the number of 'stabled' trains has allowed her team to give them a deep clean.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We have fewer workers as many of them are classed as vulnerable, but we are doing enhanced cleaning. We will work overnight to give each train a full clean. We focus on the touch points - armrests, handrails, buttons, in both the passenger areas and the cabs.

"Our drivers, conductors and station staff are helping out by using antiviral wipes throughout the day. We are urging people to take all of their litter home with them - we know bins can be hard to find on trains and in stations, but it is very important."

She also admitted that Northern are prepared to cancel a train if the unit is found not to have had its water tank filled up.

"We have been working hard to make sure all units are 'tanked' - that means their water tank has been filled overnight and the soap in the toilets replaced. We have cancelled a few trains because there has been no water or soap, not many but it occasionally happens if there has been a train fault and a unit has been swapped at the last minute."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Directors Chris Jackson and Steve Hopkinson also used the podcast to raise awareness of the refund scheme for season ticket holders currently unable to travel.

"We have been really busy with refund requests at our customer service centre in Sheffield. Our ticket offices aren't handling cash at the moment, so it is more difficult if you bought your ticket with cash.

"Our postbag looks like a Christmas mail sack! We ask people to be patient and we have processed a significant number of refunds so far."