Plans for ECML timetable uplift for May 2022
TRAIN OPERATING Companies LNER and Transpennine Express have started a public consultation regarding their plans to upgrade timetables on the East Coast Main Line from the May 2022 timetable. LNER says its planned changes would “build on over a decade of planning and investment” in Azuma trains and infrastructure improvements, and aims to provide additional services and seats, with reduced journey times and high levels of reliability.
The new timetable would see LNER run six trains per hour instead of five out of King’s Cross, providing 39 additional strains on weekdays and enhanced timetables at weekends. London – Newcastle services would be up to ten min quicker. LNER is also introducing trains to Middlesbrough, with crew training underway.
Transpennine Express’s has contingent rights to run between Newcastle and Edinburgh that are due to lapse with the December 2021 and will only be extended until May 2022. It’s Class 802s are maintained at Craigentinny Depot, so will still need to go there as ECS if necessary, adding to costs. It is negotiating to retain its existing paths in the May 2022 timetable.
Primary changes planned for May 2022 are: The Edinburgh Waverley – Liverpool Lime Street via York hourly service will be amended to run between Newcastle – Liverpool Lime Street.
The Newcastle – Manchester Airport hourly service will be amended to run between York – Manchester Victoria.
Subject to infrastructure work, the Manchester Airport – Redcar service would be extended to Saltburn.
Subject to discussions and funding, a limited Newcastle – Edinburgh Waverley service could be introduced calling at Reston (planned to open before the May 2022 timetable change) and Dunbar.
This means an overall reduction from two to one train per hour by TPE from Newcastle, Durham and Darlington to York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester. Meanwhile, Firstgroup confirms its new open access operator First East Coast Trains Ltd is on schedule to launch its service of five trains per day between London and Edinburgh in October this year.
LNER is launching a range of fixed price family return tickets for up to two adults and four children for people planning day trips or ‘staycations’ in the UK. The tickets offer savings of up to 48% of the equivalent Standard Advance tickets without a Railcard.