Bigger, Better Trains For Yorkshire

9 December 2015, 12:56 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Train on tracks

Train passengers in Yorkshire and the North of England have been promised a "world-class'' service with the announcement of new contracts for two rail franchises.

The Northern franchise has been awarded to Arriva Rail North and the TransPennine Express route to First TransPennine Express.

Improvements to services are set to include more than 500 new carriages, room for 40,000 extra passengers at peak times and over 2,000 additional services a week, the Department for Transport said.

Free wi-fi on board trains and at stations is to be rolled out, while 30-year-old Pacer trains will be scrapped.

Automatic compensation for delays will be introduced for season tickets and advance purchase tickets bought online, and £55 million will be invested in refurbishing stations.