Explore the benefits

We’re transforming the Transpennine main line to bring passengers more frequent, faster, greener trains, running on a better, cleaner and more reliable railway. While some elements of the programme are still being designed and developed, our major programme of work continues, to bring better journeys for passengers across the Pennines and beyond.

Faster journeys

We’re speeding up journeys so you can travel to your favourite towns and cities more quickly. Our fastest journey times are forecast to be 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds. 

Train travelling through fields

Greener travel

We’re electrifying the whole route to enable greener trains to run, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality. Our plans aim to save up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – supporting the government’s Net Zero objectives. We’re also developing a proposal to move more goods by rail (up to 15 more freight trains each day) which is expected to remove over 1,000 lorries off the road each day.

More reliable journeys

We’re making the railway more reliable by remodelling track, installing a new signalling system and upgrading bridges to bring passengers smoother, on-time journeys.

Better stations

We’re improving stations on the Transpennine route, bringing passengers a better travel experience through improved, more accessible stations.

More trains to choose from and more seats

Our improvements will enable more trains to run between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York with up to six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping services for local connectivity.