New services to be introduced between Wigan and Manchester/Liverpool

From 10 December, as part of the train operator’s ongoing modernisation plan, timetable enhancements will see services increase from every hour to every 30 minutes on Sundays from 10 December.

Liam Sumpter, Regional Director at Northern, said: “The timetable enhancements announced mark an important step forward for our customers. They are part of a wide-ranging modernisation programme that will see us add more than 2,000 extra services each week by 2020.

“The half hourly services will offer new weekend commuting possibilities, and will also boost travel options for leisure travellers.”

Northern’s December 2017 timetable change will see improved services available at more than 150 stations.  Changes will also include Northern’s first train to cross the Ordsall Chord in Manchester, which will enable a direct train service between Bradford and Manchester Oxford Road station.  This infrastructure improvement will pave the way for direct access between the Calder Valley and Manchester Airport from May 2018.

The service enhancements will go hand-in-hand with further modernisation across the Northern network, including new and fully refurbished trains, better stations and more ways to buy tickets. Northern’s oldest trains (Pacers) will also be removed from the network – with the entire programme delivered by 2020

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Head of Rail, Amanda White, said: “We work to provide travel options that support the region’s economic growth and sustainability, so timetable enhancements such as these that improve connectivity and provide more opportunities for passengers are a major boost.

“We will continue to work with industry partners such as Northern to provide the best possible future rail network for Greater Manchester.”

Liam added: “In the coming months and years our customers will see further improvements as we work to modernise our stations and facilities.

“We will also continue to improve our current fleet of trains and, from next year, will begin the introduction of 286 new, purpose built carriages. These trains will provide more space and enable us to add more than 2,000 services every week, building on the 2,500 we already operate each day.

“This is just the beginning of modernisation for our customers and there are many more exciting improvements to come on our journey to 2020.”