In December 2006, passengers on the MetroTrain network and beyond began benefiting from almost 1,700 additional seats on peak-time trains services into and out of Leeds.
Thanks to a £20m partnership between Metro, Yorkshire Forward and train operator Northern, six additional train units were introduced on peak-time services from York and Harrogate via Horsforth and from Halifax and Bradford on the Caldervale Line. This initiative also meant additional capacity on services into and out of Leeds from Huddersfield, Knottingley, Selby and Sheffield.
In November, Metro and Northern unveiled a new look for the Class 155 fleet of trains that mainly operates on the Caldervale line between Leeds and Manchester Victoria and the Class 321 fleet which runs between Leeds and Doncaster.
Seven two-car Class 155 units are benefiting from a £671,000 make-over that includes refurbished seating improvements to toilet areas and more space for wheelchairs. On the outside they are being repainted in Northern livery with joint Metro branding and panels depicting scenes from Yorkshire. The programme of work is due to be complete by summer 2007.
And the Class 321 fleet is getting a smart new £894,000 look. The three four-car units will sport a new red coat with Metro and Northern branding, a new passenger information system and CCTV, refurbished seating and improved bicycle and wheelchair areas.
TransPennine passengers continued to benefit from the ongoing introduction, by First TransPennine of a £250m fleet of new Class 185 trains The eye-catching blue and purple trains have air conditioning, inter-city train quality seating, including a first class section, on-board security cameras and easier access for disabled people. There is space for two wheelchairs and a wheelchair accessible toilet.
And in March, Metro, the Department for Transport and Northern Rail announced a deal to retain eight ‘threatened’ fourth carriages for Class 333 trains running on the county’s Airedale and Wharfedale line trains.
The carriages have provided vital extra capacity on very popular and busy trains along routes, which have seen a tremendous growth in passenger numbers. Since their electrification, and the introduction of the class 333 trains, passenger numbers on the of the Airedale and Wharfedale lines have risen rapidly with over 75% of people travelling into Leeds from Shipley and beyond, doing so quickly and in comfort by train.
