Virgin Trains’ plan to relieve Friday evening crowding approved

The Secretary of State for Transport has given the go-ahead for service alterations which will enable an additional train to operate between London and Manchester on Friday evenings. Approval was given on 15 December 2010.

New trains, a new timetable and a track upgrade have seen Virgin Trains double passenger numbers to 28 million a year over the last six years and is now set to carry its 250 millionth passenger, since taking over the West Coast franchise in March 1997, in early 2011. The number of passengers travelling at weekends has increased by a staggering 45% in the last two years.

The Department for Transport (DfT) approved the proposals made by Virgin Trains to manage crowding on Friday evenings, which has seen some passengers unable to join their chosen train.

Virgin Trains Chief Operating Officer Chris Gibb said: "These changes, which will really benefit our passengers, are a result of a partnership approach between Virgin Trains and the Department for Transport. We are pleased that Transport Secretary Philip Hammond recognises the success that we have had in increasing passenger numbers and has endorsed our plans to run an additional train on Friday evenings".

The DfT approval allows the following service changes to be made:

· A new Fridays only 18:57 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly service, using a Pendolino, calling at Crewe. This train will have Standard accommodation only.

· The 18:43 London Euston to Crewe will use the Mark 3 set, rather than a Pendolino.

· The 18:46 London Euston to Preston relief service will be operated by a five-car Super Voyager and will call at Rugby, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford, Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western. This train has operated as a relief service since January 2009. It will now be part of the Franchise specification.

These changes will start next week, but due to the Christmas holiday will apply on Thursday 23rd December 2010 which will be a busier travel day.

The service improvements will then apply on Fridays from January 7th 2011 throughout the current timetable period to 21st May 2011, except for Good Friday and the Friday of the Royal Wedding, when these changes will apply on the Thursday evening.

Virgin Trains Station Manager at London Euston Jill Dyal said: "The Government's approval of our plans is good news for our passengers and will provide over 400 extra seats on the Manchester route when they are desperately needed. We will also have additional staff on duty to ensure to look after our passengers at our busiest time, when we know they want to get home to families and loved ones for the weekend".