PASSENGERS using local train services are worse off than 20 years ago under the former British Rail, it was claimed last night.

The comments from Brian Milnes, chairman of the Tees Valley branch of lobby group Transport 2000, followed confirmation that there will be no investment in rolling stock for the new Northern rail franchise.

The eight-year-plus franchise, being taken over by Anglo-Dutch consortium Serco-Ned from December 12, covers inter-urban, commuter and rural services across Yorkshire and the North-East.

Despite a £2.4bn public subsidy there will be no requirement in the contract to replace ageing Pacer trains, which make up about half of existing services on the network.

Mr Milnes said: "We were very sceptical that anything would change for the better anyway. While there were rumours and hopes about new trains, there were never any promises in that direction.

"As far as local train services in the North-East are concerned we are worse off now than we were 20 years ago under British Rail.

"We seem to be paying more money out now for a worse service. It is a bad joke that, for instance, services finish at 8.30pm on some rail lines."

Serco-Ned, which already operates rail services on Merseyside, said it was working to see if there was a solid and affordable business case to invest in new trains.

Under an agreement with the Strategic Rail Authority it faces targets to reduce delays and cancellations by 15 per cent in the next five years and a new penalty system aimed at improving train and station standards.