TRAIN operators Northern, East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express are keeping Cities across the North connected, with an agreement to automatically accept each other's tickets during times of disruption. 

From:- Sunday, 22 June 2025, customers with tickets for Northern, East Midlands Railway or TransPennine Express trains will automatically be able to use their ticket on any of the 3 operators' services within 2 hours of a cancellation.

In the event of a cancellation, customers holding a valid ticket will be able to travel on any Northern, East Midlands Railway or TransPennine Express train between Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool, 2 hours before or after a cancelled train. 

It upgrades and strengthens the existing arrangements in place since December 2024, where Northern customers have been able to use East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express trains on Sundays in the event of cancellations.

Customers will be able to travel on any reasonable route, as long as it is displayed as an option in journey planners. 

The enhanced agreement between the 3 train operators means:-

• Tickets will be automatically accepted during disruption on Northern, EMR and TPE trains for journeys taking place within 2 hours of any cancelled train
• Certainty and flexibility for customers in the event of disruption
• Simpler processes and a reduced workload for customer-facing colleagues and control teams working at all 3 operators

The new arrangement covers both pre-planned cancellations and trains cancelled on the day due to unplanned disruption.

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 1st. 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 — 1 that puts customers first and gives our teams the tools they need to respond quickly during disruption."

More information about the support available for customers in the event of disruption is available on Northern's website. 

Since December 2024, under the government's public ownership programme, customers on any LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express service subject to disruption have been able to travel on any of those operators in order to complete their journey.