Northern has unveiled its fastest-ever connection between Leeds and Sheffield, introducing the Yorkshire Flyer—a new hourly service cutting journey times to just 47 minutes. The launch took place earlier today at Leeds Station and marks a significant boost for rail connectivity across the region.
Designed to support economic growth and improve access to jobs, education and leisure, the Yorkshire Flyer delivers more than 30,000 extra seats each week. Previously, passengers faced journey times of around an hour or longer, with services calling at multiple intermediate stations.
The new service streamlines the route dramatically, making only a single stop at Wakefield Westgate, and operates once every hour in both directions. It runs alongside the existing hourly CrossCountry fast service linking the two major Yorkshire cities.
Northern will continue operating four stopping services per hour in each direction, maintaining vital transport links for communities along the corridor.
Alex Hornby, Northern's commercial and customer director, said:
Running every hour every day, it offers customers a fast and straightforward alternative to taking the car. They can make affordable journeys with less faff, whether they’re travelling for work, university or days out with friends and family.
The new Yorkshire Flyer will provide a more effective link between Yorkshire’s economic powerhouses and help drive growth.”
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin added:
"The new Yorkshire Flyer service is a welcome addition for passengers travelling between Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield.
Cutting journey times and increasing the number of seats makes travel between these three great Yorkshire cities by train far more attractive, improving links and helping to boost growth.
Working with other Yorkshire mayors as part of our White Rose Partnership, and with operators to make our rail network more reliable and easier to use, we're creating a greener, better-connected region that works for all."
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard also welcomed the introduction:
“Northern’s new fast service between Sheffield and Leeds is good news for passengers here in South Yorkshire and something I’ve been pushing for over recent years.
Cutting journey times and adding thousands more seats each week makes a real, tangible difference for people getting to work, college, university or just out and about.
I’m glad Northern has listened to what passengers have been asking for, and I’m glad to see the Yorkshire Flyer is becoming a reliable, everyday part of our transport network.”
Image credit: Northern
