16.07.14
Additional Welsh borders services funded via Deutsche Bahn
Arriva Trains Wales is to run additional services between England and Wales in a deal financed by Deutsche Bahn.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that the £1.2m deal has been made possible through money paid to the department by Deutsche Bahn, following the company’s £1.6bn acquisition of Arriva Plc in 2010. TOCs have to pay a “change of control fee” when changes to the operator are made.
Under the plans, which have been supported by the Welsh government, the train operator will run an additional locomotive and four carriages, boosting services for passengers and local businesses on the routes between Llandudno and Holyhead to Manchester and Birmingham.
Expected to start in December, the additional services will mean at least 2,450 extra seats across the morning and evening peaks every week.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This is good news for passengers travelling between England and Wales. I know how popular these services are, so it’s important to get extra carriages and seats on the network.”
Ian Bullock, managing director of Arriva Trains Wales, thanked both the DfT and the Welsh government for supporting the provision of extra capacity.
He added that improved service performance levels and the increased popularity of sustainable transport has led to more than 75% growth in passenger numbers using our Manchester and Birmingham services since our Wales and borders franchise began in late 2003.
(Image: c. 175109 - Manchester Piccadilly)
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