TransPennine Express warns passengers ahead of timetable reductions

Train passengers in the North of England and Scotland have been given a fresh warning of disruption from next month.

TransPennine Express has confirmed a temporary reduction in its timetables will begin on Sunday 10th December.

The operator says the changes are aimed at improving punctuality and reliability.

Overview of changes

The following hourly off-peak pattern will apply. This also runs all day on Saturdays and Sundays:

Newcastle – Liverpool Lime Street (with slightly long dwell at Manchester Victoria) worked by Class 802s.

Scarborough – York with limited through workings to Leeds and Manchester, worked by Class 185s and Class 802s

Saltburn – Manchester Airport worked by Class 185s (mostly doubles)

Hull – Manchester Piccadilly calling all stations Leeds to Huddersfield, then fast to Piccadilly, worked by Class 185s

Manchester Piccadilly – Huddersfield stopper

(Through stopper all the way to Leeds, Monday to Friday peaks and evenings only)

The following pattern applies Monday – Friday peak times:

Newcastle – Liverpool Lime Street (with slightly long dwell at Manchester Victoria) worked by Class 802s.

Scarborough – York with a number of through workings to Leeds and Manchester, worked by Class 185s and Class 802s

Saltburn – Manchester Airport worked by Class 185s (mostly doubles)

Hull – Manchester Victoria, express westbound, but still calling all stations between Huddersfield and Leeds eastbound

Manchester Piccadilly – Huddersfield stopper, extending to York via Wakefield at 0658/0858/1458/1658 each way including Saturdays, but not Sundays.

Additional Manchester Piccadilly – Huddersfield stopper to create half hourly frequency which is then express to Leeds eastbound, all stations between Leeds and Huddersfield westbound.

TransPennine Express statement

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TransPennine Express said:

“We are planning to make some temporary reductions and small changes to our current timetable next month and are encouraging customers to check their journeys taking place from 10 December onwards.

“Our number one focus is restoring a reliable and punctual service for customers and December 2023 provides us with a great opportunity do this.

“We have spent several months compiling the new timetable and have worked hard to develop a version that will give everyone greater confidence in TPE.”

“We understand the part we play in the local communities and our aim has been to deliver a train service people can depend on whether it’s getting them to work, school or an important appointment.

“To do this, there will be some temporary reductions to the timetable between the north west and north east of England from December 2023.

“These small temporary changes are a step forward in addressing some of the issues that have impacted on our reliability, and, ultimately delivering a more stable and resilient service for customers.

“We will, of course, keep this under constant review, and aim to return services as part of the December 2024 timetable change or sooner if possible.”

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