Northern to add extra carriages on busy routes

Extra carriages are to be added to trains on busy routes in parts of West and North Yorkshire, meaning passengers are more likely to get a seat, Northern has said.

The train operator said it would begin introducing more six-carriage services between Leeds, Ilkley, Skipton and Bradford Forster Square this week.

Electric trains which run on these routes usually have three or four carriages, but Northern said it wants at least one in six of these trains to have six carriages.

It said this would provide more than 5,400 extra seats each day for customers on weekdays and Saturdays.

Network Rail has recently extended platforms to accommodate longer trains at Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge, Shipley, Bingley, Guiseley, Menston and Burley in Wharfedale.

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern in Yorkshire, said: "We have been working hard to run a reliable service for customers on these routes and are now focused on providing extra capacity to meet demand.

"These six-carriage services will provide customers with more space and extra seats during the busiest periods so they can enjoy a more comfortable journey."

Northern said passengers should check which doors they can use to get on and off the longer trains especially as some stations - such as Cononley and Steeton and Silsden - have not been extended.

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