TransPennine Express will restore train services, enhancing connectivity between Manchester and Leeds.
- The services had been reduced to improve timing, but will soon operate every 15 minutes.
- Four express trains per hour will connect Manchester Victoria and Leeds, starting December 15.
- Castleford, Normanton, and Wakefield gain a new hourly service.
- Overall seating capacity across the network increases by 12%, featuring 1,300 additional daily seats.
TransPennine Express (TPE) is reinstating several train services between Manchester and Leeds, a move aimed at enhancing travel options and addressing past schedule adjustments made to boost punctuality. This update means significant improvements in transport frequency and capacity between these major cities. Services will run every 15 minutes from December, demonstrating TPE’s commitment to providing reliable travel solutions.
With the implementation of a new timetable from December 15, four express trains per hour will service the route between Manchester Victoria and Leeds. These additional services mark a return to TPE’s historical operational patterns, promising commuters and travellers increased convenience and flexibility.
In a notable expansion of its network, TPE will introduce a new hourly service connecting Castleford, Normanton, and Wakefield with Manchester and York, including other stations along this route. This offers an improved travel experience for passengers in these areas, facilitating better regional connectivity.
The planned service expansions are accompanied by a significant increase in seating capacity, with TPE providing 1,300 more seats daily across its network, equating to a 12% rise. Chris Jackson, managing director at TPE, expressed satisfaction with returning to the former timetable and believes the changes will make a “real difference” for customers.
Over the past year, TPE has seen a substantial reduction in service cancellations by 70%, which along with increased passenger confidence, has propelled it to the position of the UK’s second fastest-growing train company. Passengers are encouraged to verify train times before travel to avoid any unexpected changes.
TransPennine Express is set to enhance rail services and improve travel links across its network from December.
