08.01.13
Direct London trains for North West proposed
Plans for services running directly to London from Rochdale, Eccles, Manchester Victoria and Audenshaw are being considered.
Alliance Rail Holding has asked the ORR to allow it to run services along the West Coast Main Line. From 2016 passengers would no longer have to change at Manchester Piccadilly, if the plans go ahead.
The development had been on hold over the West Coast contract, but now that Virgin has been granted an extension the plans could go ahead.
Alliance Rail Holding state that the move could cut journey times and bring down ticket prices. Under open access rules, the company would not receive subsidies or have to share profits with the Government.
If successful, Alliance Rail Holdings would spend £250m on Pendolino leaning trains. Running every two hours, the Bradford service would stop at Eccles, Manchester Victoria and Rochdale. The Leeds train, also every two hours, would stop at Stockport or Manchester Piccadilly and Guide Bridge in Audenshaw.
Ian Yeowart, managing director of Alliance Rail Holdings, said: “We have shown from our services on the East Coast Main Line to Bradford and Sunderland that we can turn a profit without government help.
“Competition on the West Coast can only be a good thing for passengers, meaning more trains and driving down prices.”
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