As a new franchise, it is intended to commence on 17 October 2004 comprising services on regional and local routes presently covered by two franchises: the North West regional franchise, operated by North Western Trains Company Limited ("North Western"), a subsidiary of FirstGroup plc, and the North East, Yorkshire and Humber regional franchise, operated by Arriva Trains Northern Limited, a subsidiary of Arriva plc.
Onder deze nieuwe concessie zullen vanaf 17 oktober 2004 regionale en lokale lijnen worden geëxploiteerd die momenteel nog onder twee concessies vallen: de 'North West'-concessie, die wordt geëxploiteerd door North Western Trains Company Ltd ("North Western"), een dochteronderneming van FirstGroup plc, en de 'North East, Yorkshire and Humber'-concessie, die wordt geëxploiteerd door Arriva Trains Northern Ltd, een dochter van Arriva plc.