Starting from Sunday 22 June 2025, customers travelling on Northern, East Midlands Railway or TransPennine Express services will be able to use their ticket on any of the three operators’ services within two hours of a cancellation.
Passengers holding a valid ticket will be able to travel on any service between Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool within a two hour window of a cancelled train.
Building on existing arrangements introduced in December 2024 which allow Northern customers to use East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express trains on Sundays in the event of cancellations, customers will now be permitted to travel along any reasonable route as long as it is displayed as a viable option.
Tickets will be automatically accepted during disruption, with the three operators aiming to reduce potential confusion, provide flexibility and simplify processes across their services.
Tricia Williams, Managing Director for Northern, said:This agreement is about doing the right thing for our customers when things don't go according to plan.
Sadly, things do go wrong from time to time, so we've worked closely with colleagues at East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express to design a policy which will keep our towns and cities across the North connected in times of disruption.
I'm pleased that we have been able to build upon the great work that has already taken place to date, with a simpler, easy to understand policy that makes sense for customers and our teams.
Will Rogers, Managing Director at East Midlands Railway, said:This agreement is a great example of train operators working together to put customers first. Disruption is never ideal, but when it does happen, passengers need clear, consistent and practical options.
By strengthening this arrangement with our industry partners at Northern and TransPennine Express, we’re making it easier for customers to complete their journeys with confidence.
Darren Higgins, Commercial Director at TransPennine Express said:We've joined forces with our partners across the network to create a plan that helps keep the North moving when it matters most.
I'm proud of the collaborative effort that’s gone into shaping a clear, consistent approach — one that puts customers first and gives our teams the tools they need to respond quickly during disruption.
