Train operator TransPennine Express is to reduce the number of trains it runs as part of an attempt to boost its woeful reliability.
As YorkMix reported last month, TPE was looking at cutting services from December.
Today it has confirmed that fewer services will run from York when the new timetable comes in on 9 December.
The operator has a dismal reliability record. An analysis in spring said it was on course to cancel 23,000 services this year.
That led to it being renationalised by the government in May.
It has now launched Making Journeys Better: Our Plan For The Future, setting out plans to improve the service following “an in-depth review of the business”.
A TPE spokesperson said: “Part of this plan is a temporary reduction in our timetable from December 2023, which will help us to restore reliability and stability to our services.”
As a result York will temporarily see a reduction to Leeds and Manchester from three trains per hour in each direction to two trains per hour in each direction.
‘Great opportunity’
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “December 2023 provides us with a great opportunity to restore reliability and stability to our services.
“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 give our customers a rail service they can rely on to get them where they need to be.
“To do this, there will be some temporary amendments to the timetable between the north west and north east of England to deliver improved punctuality and reliability for customers from December 2023.
“This is 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.”
Passengers can check journeys and view services valid from the December 2023 timetable change using National Rail Enquiries and JourneyCheck.
He added: “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.”
Chris said things were already getting better. “We’ve already made some significant improvements at TPE, and our customers are starting to really see the benefit of this work.
“We’ve reduced cancellations by 40 per cent, we’ve worked to rebuild relationships with trade union representatives and have resolved many of the local disputes that were so disruptive for so long, and we’ve delivered improvements and upgrades to some of our key stations.
“But we know there is a lot more work to do and our plan for the future puts our customers at the heart of our decision making and outlines the additional steps we’re taking to build on the progress we’ve made so far.”