Bags of support for rail travellers

Rail passengers travelling to Manchester Airport will be greeted by a team of modern day porters this summer.

The customer service assistants will help customers on and off trains with their luggage and be on-hand to answer any passenger queries.

The team, who have been bought in to help with the increasing number of passengers to the airport station have swapped the traditional cap and long jacket of porters seen in the 1970s with lightweight trousers, a polo t-shirt and fleece.


The station, which is managed by First TransPennine Express (FTPE), has seen a 67% increase in the number of passengers travelling to the airport in the last four years - an extra 680,000 travellers. This summer kids can also travel free with FTPE and, with more children expected to travel, the new team will help parents who need an extra pair of hands.

Alex Walker, Station Manager for Manchester Airport, said: "With more people travelling by rail to the airport to get away this summer we have employed customer service staff to lend a helping hand. Our kids go free offer has also encouraged more people to travel and we look forward to helping even more passengers travel through to the airport."

Two customer service assistants will work at Manchester Airport Railway Station from 8am until 8pm. New helpers have also been employed at Windermere and Scarborough stations which have seen a big influx in the number of visitors.

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