[T]ransPennine Express customers in the North West and Scotland are being asked to plan ahead and check before they travel in advance of a major timetable change in May.
Part of the Great North Rail Project (GNRP), the changes will come into effect from 20 May 2018.
From May, customers in Motherwell will benefit from more direct trains to Glasgow, Lancaster, Preston and Manchester.
Services to and from Scotland will run direct between Preston and Manchester Piccadilly meaning the journey time is 10 minutes faster and will no longer call at Wigan North Western and Manchester Oxford Road. Other operators including Northern Rail will continue to provide services between Wigan and Manchester.
Once electrified TPE services between Scotland and Manchester will operate on the line via Bolton.
In December 2017, TPE introduced 13 brand new services between Manchester and Edinburgh/Glasgow including extra early morning and evening trains. Fast free Wi-Fi was also introduced for customers in both standard and first class along with brand new onboard entertainment system, Exstream featuring the latest TV shows and films.
Commenting on the upcoming timetable change, Leo Goodwin, Managing Director for TransPennine Express said: “This is one of the biggest timetable changes the North has seen and will deliver real benefits for customers, whether travelling for work or leisure.
“Customers in this part of the world are already benefitting from free on-board Wi-Fi and entertainment system, Exstream. Our Nova 2 trains will be introduced on the route from early 2019 as part of a £500million investment which will deliver an extra 13million more seats a year for customers.”
Full details of all train times and fares can be found on line at www.tpexpress.co.uk
