How we're run

How we're run

How we’re run

We’re one of more than 30 train operating companies in the UK. Our network covers approximately 3,000 km and our services stop at more than 500 stations. This makes us the largest operator by track length and number of stations.  

Train operating companies run passenger services and generally apply for what are called ‘franchises’ to run specific routes from the Department for Transport.

Our franchise is managed by Rail North Partnership on behalf of the Department for Transport and Transport for the North.

About DFTO/Northern Trains Limited

Northern is owned by Northern Trains Limited, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, DfT Operator (DFTO). DFTO has responsibility for four rail companies: LNER, Northern Trains Limited, SE Trains ('Southeastern') and Transpennine Express.

Our partners

We work closely with a range of other organisations. It’s by working together that we can deliver the very best service for our customers and communities.  

Here’s a summary of the other organisations we work with, what they do and how we work with them.  

The Department for Transport is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the rail industry in England and Wales – funding investment in infrastructure through Network Rail, awarding and managing rail franchises, and regulating rail fares. Our work with DfT includes planning for the long-term future of rail associated with the Williams Shapps Plan.

Transport for the North (TfN) is a sub-national transport body. Their board is made up of the North’s 20 Local Transport Authorities (partnerships of local authorities) and 11 Local Enterprise Partnership. We work closely with TfN on a wide range of rail-related projects.  

Rail North Partnership is the team which acts on behalf of the Department for Transport and Transport for the North to manage Northern and TransPennine rail franchises.  

Network Rail owns, operates and develops Britain’s railway infrastructure. They also manage 20 of the UK’s largest stations. In the North they manage the following stations: Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street, All other stations are managed by train operating companies like Northern. Network Rail manages the operation and upkeep of the network and carries out planned engineering work, such as replacing tracks or upgrading signalling systems. Engineering works are essential to the safe and effective running of the network. Network Rail are also responsible for coordinating and validating rail timetables for the whole country.  

We work in partnership with Network Rail to deliver our vision of working together to provide a high performing railway and to transform services for passengers in the North of England. To achieve this vision we work collaboratively with Network Rail on a wide range of agreed joint objectives - focussed on delivering tangible passenger outcomes and value. Working together means that we can offer the best possible service to our passengers.

Transport Focus is the independent watchdog representing the interests of Britain’s rail passengers, bus and tram passengers in England (outside of London) and passengers on scheduled domestic coach services in England. Transport Focus offers advice to the public and takes up passengers' complaints that train companies have failed to resolve. It aims to secure improvements, influence decisions and get the best deal for passengers and road users with an emphasis on evidence-based campaigning and research.  

British Transport Police (BTP) is the railways’ national police force. It provides a policing service to rail operators (including Northern), their staff and customers throughout England Wales and Scotland. The majority of their activity is law and order policing – maintaining the peace and protecting staff and the public. They specialise in preventing route crime – which is vandalism, obstructing trains, throwing missiles and anything which endangers safety.  

We meet regularly with BTP to discuss hotspot areas, share good practice and emerging issues. We also meet with BTP and Network Rail to agree how we’ll jointly address route crime. Our team of travel safe officers, based in our East, West, North East and Central regions - including Manchester, work closely with BTP on a daily-basis.

The National Rail Enquiries site provides national service information, information on ticket types and routes across the UK. They are the definitive source of customer information for all passenger rail services on the National Rail network in England, Wales and Scotland.