Praise for work at railway sites
of Huddersfield rail users, closely followed by people travelling into Manchester.
For TransPennine Express, commuters make up 25% of customers, with 15% travelling for business and 60% travelling for leisure reasons.
A spokesperson for the company said: “In recent years, the highest growth has been to cities outside of West Yorkshire.
“Since doubling services in 2014 to two per hour, almost 50% more trips have been made from Huddersfield to Liverpool.
“An extra 200 people a week are taking advantage of new fast journeys that take just over 60 minutes.
“This will be great for Huddersfield Town fans visiting Anfield and Goodison Park next season!
“Trips to Newcastle and Manchester Airport have also seen large increases of customers in recent years, with growth of 40% since 2014.”
The latest figures come as the firm begins refurbishing its recentlyacquired fleet of three-carriage Class 185 diesel trains with new metallic silver livery, new seat covers and carpets, free Wi-Fi, charging points at every pair of seats and an onboard entertainment system featuring a wide range of films, TV shows, newspapers and magazines.
First TransPennine has created a time-lapse video showing work on the exterior of the 185s. The new vinyl is being applied to 51 trains in total. More than 17 miles of film will be used to cover the entire fleet with about 180sq metres being applied to each train.
Starting from 2018, TPE will also introduce 19 brand new, state-ofthe-art bi-mode trains capable of operating by diesel and electric power.
The first of the new trains, being manufactured by Hitachi Rail Europe in County Durham, will start operating through Huddersfield next year.
TPE has pledged to invest more than £500m over the next three years in three new train fleets which will mean 13m extra seats across the North and into Scotland. COMMUNITY groups are giving a new lease of life to sleepy railway stations, a report has revealed.
The report, co-authored by Huddersfield rail expert and former Kirklees councillor Prof Paul Salveson, examined innovative ways for railway stations to be rejuvenated, brought into the heart of communities and support regeneration.
Those name-checked for good work include Huddersfield, where a station friends group staff a visitor information point.
There’s also a space used by local businesses to provide “pop up” stalls, including ones selling bread, cakes and flowers.
TransPennine Express has also helped Friends of Huddersfield Station by loaning computer equipment.
Other areas praised include supporters of Todmorden station which launched “Incredible Edible” there. A friends group at Sowerby Bridge runs painting and drawing competitions for school children and created a Bronte Garden on wasteland at the station entrance.
The report, Community Stations – Innovative Uses for Railway Land, has been launched by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships and Rail Delivery Group.
Prof Salveson said: “There’s an amazing range of activity at and around stations. They include arts projects, cafes, tourism information and bike hire. They enhance the passenger experience of stations, many of which were previously unloved.”