TransPennine Express (TPE) is to restore several train services between Manchester and Leeds which were cut last year in an attempt to improve the operator’s punctuality scores.
The network says its customers will see hundreds more seats on trains, with services across the Pennines running every 15 minutes from December.
Four express trains an hour will run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds from December 15, when several train companies nationally switch to new timetables.
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% – around 1,300 more every day.
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.”
