Transformation and Growth

Transforming intercity train travel 

Our new franchise started on 1 April 2016 and marked the dawn of an exciting new era for TransPennine Express. We’ve been given the vital role of connecting the North and Scotland, helping to make them greater than ever before.

Achieving this relies on transforming into a vibrant and modern rail operator that connects people, places and ideas.

New and improved trains

• 44 new state of the art intercity trains

• 220 new carriages introduced by 2019

• Fully refurbishing all existing trains

• Using intercity trains on all long distance services (more than 80% of total vehichle miles) by 2019

• New 125mph rolling stock supporting reductions in journey time across the region

More capacity

• 13m more seats in our timetable every year by 2019

• More than double existing capacity on Sundays

• 20,000 extra peak seats per day giving an 80% increase into 5 largest cities in the North

New and better connections

• 55% increase in connections between 7 largest cities on the network by 2019

• New direct services from Liverpool to Glasgow from December 2018

• Extension of TransPennine Express services beyond Newcastle to Edinburgh from December 2019

• 16 additional services per day from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Manchester by 2019

• 6 trains an hour between Manchester and Leeds – over 100 services a day

• Offering a 'weekday' service, 7 days a week by December 2017

• An integrated network with better connections with local rail, bus and tram

Improved station experience

• £6.8m to complete platform extensions at 13 stations

• £2.8m investment in customer information systems at stations

• £1.4m Hull station retail development

• £18m investment in stations across the north

• Introducing Automatic Selective Door Operation so longer trains can call at stations

Modern, flexible train tickets

• Paperless tickets via mobile available on all routes

• Integrated ticketing with local smart card schemes

• More through ticketing with bus, Manchester Metrolink and other tram or light rail systems

• Discounted fares available for 16-18 year olds and for job-seekers

• Online direct debit season ticket purchase and further group travel discounts

• Bookings available up to 26 weeks in advance for Anglo-Scottish services

• Delay Repay when things go wrong; automatic compensation for registered customers

• 30 new ticket vending machines at stations across the network