Train operator Northern will introduce a new timetable for passengers next month. Bosses said the new schedules, due to be introduced from Sunday, May 15, will focus on 'delivering reliability and punctuality for customers'.
But it's thought that Greater Manchester routes will remain largely unchanged, with just one planned amendment. Northern said there would be a 'slightly reduced' number of services on the Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central route, but no specific numbers were revealed.
The operator's current timetable began on December 12, 2021, and will run through to December this year, including next month's changes.
In a statement, Northern said: "The new schedules, introduced from Sunday 15 May, will focus on delivering reliability and punctuality for customers. On the majority of routes, Northern will maintain service levels established in December last year and some routes will see increased seat capacity and service uplifts."
As part of the new schedule, Northern said changes would include:
- Improved calling patterns at Adlington and Blackrod.
- Additional services to Blackpool and Cumbria from July.
- Additional services on the Hope Valley line.
- Slightly reduced number of services on the Manchester Piccadilly-New Mills Central route.
- Increased seat capacity on the Settle and Carlisle line.
Announcing the changes, Northern said Covid was having a 'knock-on effect to our ability to resource trains from an increased level of sickness and a backlog of training for our drivers to maintain regular route and train knowledge to be able to operate'.
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: "Customers are at the heart of everything we do, and the new timetables are designed to deliver high levels of reliability.
"We've made decisions about our timetables based on the levels of resource we have available and prioritising the routes with the highest customer demand, and which support the region's economic growth. We fully understand the role we play in keeping people on the move and I am asking our customers to familiarise themselves with the new timetables, and to check carefully before any journeys to ensure their journeys go as smoothly as possible."
Further details are available on Northern's website.
