TransPennine Express adds seats from Stockport as part of new December timetable

Rail operator, TransPennine Express, will increase capacity on its services between Liverpool and Cleethorpes via Manchester, Stockport and Sheffield, as part of a new December timetable.

The majority of services on the route will be run with six carriage trains from the 15th December, increasing the number of seats available.

The new timetable will also restore services previously cut back by the operator as it sought to tackle poor reliability on its trains, which drew the ire of city-region mayors across the North last year. The timetable changes will also see the return of a four-times hourly connection between Manchester Victoria and Leeds, as well as two services every hour between Liverpool and Manchester Victoria.

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.”

David Hoggarth, Head of Strategic Rail at Transport for the North commented:

“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.”