1300 more seats a day and trains across the Pennines every 15 minutes: TransPennine Express introduces new December timetable
TransPennine Express (TPE) customers will see hundreds more seats on trains and services across the Pennines running every 15 minutes from this December, as the operator restores services while continuing to run a timetable customers can depend on.
Four express trains an hour will run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds, once again providing fast, frequent and reliable trains – as well as increased services across TPE’s network.
The change comes as train operators across the UK switch to a new timetable next month (Sunday 15 December).
Customers in Castleford, Normanton and Wakefield will also benefit from a new hourly service, seven days a week connecting them to Manchester and York as well as other stations along this route.
Across the TPE network, there will be an increase in seats for customers of 12 per cent – around 1300 more every day.
Other major changes include:
- 50 trains will run each way, every day, between Liverpool and Manchester stations (Monday to Saturday, with fewer services on Sundays). This means an increase to two services every hour between Liverpool and Manchester Victoria. These trains will form a half-hourly express service calling only at one intermediate station (Newton-le-Willows and Lea Green alternately).
- TPE will stop at Eaglescliffe for the first time, providing an hourly service
- Chester-le-Street will now receive hourly calls
- The majority of services operating between Liverpool and Cleethorpes will be six carriage trains, increasing the number of seats. This service also stops at Sheffield, Doncaster and Manchester
- More evening services connecting Manchester and Oxenholme, calling at Bolton, Preston and Lancaster
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We’re pleased to be returning to our more historic timetable, bringing back and adding new services and additional seats which will make a real difference for our customers.
“We have seen great achievements across TPE in the past 12 months in particular, with cancellations reduced by 70% and, thanks to our customers old and new having confidence to travel with us, we have become the second fastest growing train company in the UK.
“We urge customers to check before they travel in case there are any changes to their services.”
For more information about individual services, customers should use the ‘Check My Timetable’ feature on TPE’s website.
David Hoggarth, Head of Strategic Rail at Transport for the North said: "Following the difficult decision to temporarily step back services last year, this announcement by TransPennine Express to restore services and stabilise performance is a positive step forward. TfN will continue to work with all operators to improve reliability, re-build confidence and prepare the way for future enhancements, including the Transpennine Route Upgrade, in the North’s railway network, which is essential to help deliver sustainable, inclusive growth for our region.”
For more information about the new timetable, visit https://tpexpress.co.uk/timetablechange