Wednesday, March 27, 2024
CrossCountry, a long-distance train operator, has declared plans for an expansion that will significantly enhance its service capacity. By May 2025, the introduction of twelve new trains will augment the capacity on its north-south routes by over 36,000 seats weekly, enriching the network that spans from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff.
The Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, emphasized that this upgrade is set to elevate the passenger experience by alleviating overcrowding issues. Furthermore, a comprehensive refurbishment is on the horizon for all 58 of CrossCountry’s Voyager trains and its regional Turbostar fleet, serving routes from Birmingham to various destinations including Cardiff, Nottingham, and Stansted Airport. This initiative aims to connect major UK cities more effectively, encompassing Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle, and Manchester.
Beginning in June, and in anticipation of the summer holiday rush, extra trains will be gradually deployed, thanks to the release from Avanti West Coast. This move is expected to add approximately 12,000 seats per week to the service. To manage overcrowding, temporary timetable adjustments will be implemented from June to September for passengers traveling to and from Wakefield Westgate, Chesterfield, Basingstoke, and Winchester. Moreover, the operator has acquired five Voyager trains from Beacon Rail, building on the seven Voyager trains obtained in October, thus bringing the total to an additional 60 carriages.
CrossCountry’s interim managing directors, Julian Edwards and Scott Maynard, expressed their excitement over the fleet and onboard experience enhancements. They pledged continuous efforts to ensure the smooth introduction and refurbishment of the additional trains, aiming to revitalize the Voyager fleet on the CrossCountry network in collaboration with Alstom and Beacon Trains.
Peter Broadley, Alstom’s managing director of rolling stock and services for the UK and Ireland, shared that the trains are slated for a thorough makeover. This includes new seating, technological upgrades onboard, and an external repaint. He highlighted that the refurbishment would not only improve comfort and accessibility for passengers but also bolster UK suppliers and skilled jobs across the country.
This expansion and enhancement of services by CrossCountry are anticipated to have a profound impact on tourism by improving accessibility to key destinations across the UK, potentially boosting local economies and enhancing the overall travel experience for tourists.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
