Train operator TransPennine Express (TPE) has been brought back under government control following the decision not to renew the franchise’s contract.

Services were brought under Government control due to “continuous cancellations” according to the transport secretary.

TPE passengers have suffered from widespread delays and cancellations over the past year.

The FirstGroup-owned operator, which delivers services in Penrith and Carlisle, haD been badly affected by drivers who are members of the Aslef union no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts.

Latest figures show TPE cancelled the equivalent of one in six services across most of March.

The move to bring the services back into public ownership was back by politicians of all parties in Carlisle with John Stevenson MP saying that the government’s decision to strip TransPennine Express (TPE) of its rail contract was not ‘wholly unexpected’.

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Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Carlisle Julie Minns said it was the right decision but called for the line to remain in government ownership with Liberal Democrat Councillor, Brian Wernham and Green Party candidate, Gavin Hawkton also saying it was the right call.

The move has also been welcomed by the RMT who also called for the government to strip Avanti West Coast of its contract and Chair of Transport for the North, Lord McLoughlin.

Rail minister Huw Merriman said bringing the operation under government control was a "reset moment".

TransPennine Express has now joined Northern as a Government run train company in Cumbria.