Return journey: looking back at the last time the Northern franchise was reviewed

The Northern Rail Review commissioned by the Strategic Rail Authority in 2005 was designed to examine the potential for reducing the franchise’s subsidy through fare rises, service cuts and deferring infrastructure renewals.

In the case of fares, minimal extra revenue would be raised by increasing ticket prices. The study conducted by Steer Davies Gleave found that the optimal fare level required to maximise revenue would be a 10% increase in season ticket and discounted ticket prices,...