Boost To Rail Services Across Yorkshire And Humber
Hull, Bridlington and Cleethorpes are among the areas to benefit.
A new world class rail service for the North is what's being promised by the government today after it announced a £1.2bn boost to services.
It'll include new direct journeys from Hull to Bradford and Bridlington to Leeds and more services from Hull to Manchester from 2017.
While there will also be improvements to the Cleethorpes to Manchester service - which until recently was under threat.
It's as new contracts for Northern and TransPennine Express franchises were awarded by the government today.
Together, these operators will oversee a massive £1.2 billion boost to rail services across the north with 500 brand-new modern carriages, room for 40,000 more passengers, thousands more services and a host of improvements to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience.
Improvements across Yorkshire and the Humber include more space for passengers into Leeds and Sheffield at peak times, more and better services for Bradford and Hull, and brand new trains on long-distance services
Rail journeys across Yorkshire and the Humber will undergo the biggest transformation in decades, thanks to an unprecedented package of improvements being delivered in new franchise deals.
As part of the government’s commitment to ensure local passengers are at the heart of the rail network and devolve power to those that know their economies and customers best, the franchises will be jointly managed from Leeds by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited - which represents 29 local authorities across the north.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
“We promised passengers across Yorkshire and the Humber a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality – and I’m delighted that we have found two operators that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.
“In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth – today we’ve put that right.
“Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and – coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital Transpennine route – will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for Yorkshire and the Humber.”