TransPennine Express to reinstate Manchester-Leeds rail services

A rail operator has announced its intention to restore train services across various parts of the north of England, following their discontinuation last year in an effort to enhance punctuality. TransPennine Express is set to reintroduce journeys between Manchester and Leeds, operating at a frequency of four trains per hour, commencing on 15 December. The government-controlled firm had previously scaled back services last year with the aim of improving reliability. Other modifications planned by the operator from December include increasing the number of services between Liverpool and Manchester to two per hour from Monday to Saturday, with a reduced schedule on Sundays. This encompasses express routes between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria, which will make stops exclusively at Newton-le-Willows or Lea Green on an alternating basis. TransPennine Express stated that some of the trains would be converted from diesel to electric power as part of these changes. The operator further indicated that these adjustments are projected to provide an additional 1,300 seats for passengers daily. Additionally, an increased number of evening services will be launched between Manchester and Oxenholme, including stops at Bolton, Preston, and Lancaster. Plans also include the introduction of a new hourly service linking Castleford, Normanton, and Wakefield with Manchester and York. David Hoggarth from Transport for the North commented that the reinstatement represents a “positive step” following the “difficult decision” to reduce services in the previous year. He further stated that Transport for the North intends to continue collaborating with operators to enhance their reliability and “re-build confidence”.