A new operator's taken over the franchise to run services in North Lancashire and Cumbria - including the Furness and Lakes Lines.
From today, Arriva is responsible for the Northern franchise.
They're promising new trains, extra carriages and revamped ticketing.
Arriva add they'll be running 100mph services between Manchester Airport and Barrow and Windermere by 2019.
Chris Burchell, Managing Director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said: “Today marks an exciting day for Arriva and the millions of passengers who travel on Northern. In Cumbria and Lancashire alone, we will introduce earlier and later services on many routes, extend staffing hours at stations and replace Pacers with brand new 100mph trains operating across the network by 2019.
“The journey towards a complete transformation in services for customers in the North starts now. Throughout the term of the franchise we will be injecting a multi-million pound investment to deliver a step-change in quality and are excited to now have the opportunity to start delivering on our promises to passengers.
“We are investing in new and refurbished trains, journeys will be improved through refreshed networks and timetables, and our trains will offer more capacity and comfort.
“Our ambitious plans would not be possible without the 5,000 staff who join the Arriva family today. We value the experience and expertise they bring as we link cities and communities across the North like never before.”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern, said: “Today is the day we begin to deliver our plans for the exciting next phase of Northern and each and every one of the team is focussed and determined to deliver for customers. Investment is exactly what customers wanted and we are looking forward to achieving major improvements before the end of the decade.”
Sir Richard Leese, Chairman of Rail North, added: "Today marks the start of better rail services for the North and of much greater local control over the development of these services.
“Passengers and businesses told us that they wanted less crowded trains, faster and more frequent services that start earlier and finish later and more opportunities to travel on Sundays. The new Northern franchise will exceed these requirements, with the unpopular Pacer trains consigned to the scrapheap by October 2019, 281 brand new carriages, substantial investment in station improvements and a real focus on involving local communities in the railway.
“The new franchise tangibly demonstrates the real benefit of devolution of power to the North. Rail North Limited played a key role in specifying tender requirements and evaluating bids leading to the award of the franchise and will now be responsible through the Rail North / DfT Partnership team for the management and development of services from their office in Leeds.
“Rail North Limited will continue to work very closely with Transport for the North to drive forward economic growth, by developing visionary proposals to deliver radically improved connectivity across the North."