Northern was also affected by the 2022-2024 United Kingdom railway strikes, the largest national rail strikes in the UK in three decades. Although strikes stopped in 2024, the franchise has been affected by rest day working restrictions that have continued to regularly affect Sunday services into 2026.

Long-term changes will include procurement of up to 386 new trains totalling 896 carriages, with planned introduction in 2030 in two phases with a further phase to be developed.