The operator has changed its rules to allow smaller mobility scooters on Class 158 trains.
Northern said passengers who already hold one of its mobility scooter permits are being contacted and will receive a new permit if their scooter meets the size requirements for Class 158 trains.
The updated permit will confirm that the scooter can safely board the trains without becoming stuck.
Northern introduced its previous policy in 2020 because most mobility scooters at the time were too large to turn in the narrow vestibules on Class 158 trains.
The operator reviewed the restrictions as more passengers began using smaller and lighter scooters.
Northern said it consulted passengers and staff, tested different scooter models and reassessed more than 150 stations before changing the rules.
Alex Hornby, Customer and Commercial Director at Northern, said: “We are determined to create an accessible railway for everyone and continue to make further improvements for our customers across Northern.
“With more people using smaller scooters, we decided it was time to review the rules and find a new way forward to enable more passengers with mobility scooters to safely board more services.
“I would like to thank Janet Kidd, Tony Jennings and Sue Buckingham, as well as Shopmobility Leeds for their support in making this happen.
“We’re committed to giving everyone the confidence to travel by train and have a conductor on board every service to provide assistance.
“We will continue to create further improvements and it is really pleasing to see satisfaction levels amongst customers with accessibility needs continue to increase.”
More than 3,000 passengers using around 330 types of mobility scooter have obtained free permits from Northern. Permit holders can travel from 262 stations across the network.
Northern is also planning to buy up to 450 new trains in three phases, including around 130 in the first phase.
The publicly-owned operator aims to award contracts by early 2027, with the first trains due to be delivered in 2030.
