The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has signed a TransPennine Express rail extension contract agreement with FirstGroup, offering more seats, better services and Wi-Fi at stations across the north of England.
The new contract extension will allow First TransPennine Express to continue operating services in the north of England and Scotland for another year, until April 2016.
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UK Rail Minister Claire Perry said: "We have set out how we will transform rail services across the north over the next few years, but we are determined that passengers shouldn’t have to wait to see much-needed improvements.
"This agreement with First TransPennine Express will make a real difference to passengers, paving the way for the next franchise to further develop a railway the north of England is proud of."
Under this new deal, the operator will introduce free Wi-Fi at all major TransPennine stations, and implement ‘smart’ enabled ticket machines, as well as gates at Huddersfield station.
First TransPennine Express will also continue offering 700 additional seats between York and Liverpool every day. The capacity will be increased further in May.
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By GlobalDataIn addition, the operator will deliver technical modifications to enhance the reliability of existing trains, and bring new customer information facilities at key stations.
The competition to appoint the next operators for both the new Northern and TransPennine franchises is currently underway.
Earlier this month, DfT issued invitations to tender for the new franchisees as part of efforts to transform rail travel in the north.
Three operators, including First TransPennine Express, Keolis Go-Ahead and Stagecoach TransPennine Express Trains, have been shortlisted to run the next franchise.
Image: The new agreement will see more seats, better services and Wi-Fi at stations across the north of England. Photo: courtesy of UK Department for Transport.
