EAST COAST UNVEILS EXCITING NEW TIMETABLE
Monday, 14 February 2011
More seats, more services, improved frequency and faster journeys on
East Coast trains from 22 May 2011Train operator East Coast today unveils an exciting new timetable which
represents the biggest change to the East Coast route for 20 years. Tickets will for the new timetable will go on sale on 25 February. The new timetable, which will operate from 22 May, will bring more than
three million additional seats per year to the East Coast route, 19 new
services per weekday, an improved frequency and pattern of services,
and faster typical journeys for millions of passengers. It will add new direct return services from London King's Cross to
Lincoln and Harrogate, and a new four-hour 'Flying Scotsman' express
service between Edinburgh and London King's Cross, calling at Newcastle
only and arriving into London at 09.40. Customers will also see the introduction of a new, improved on-board
service from May. This will include complimentary meals and drinks
served at-seat in First Class. East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell said: "The launch of an
exciting new timetable on 22 May represents the biggest change to the
East Coast route in a generation. It will deliver more services, more
seats and a much improved pattern of services for millions of
passengers. "The launch of an improved complimentary at-seat service in First Class
will build upon improvements already made in Standard Class." The timetable has been developed on behalf of the rail industry by
Network Rail. East Coast substantially influenced this process
following a consultation on a draft version of the timetable, which was
then titled Eureka! Karen Boswell said: "As we have developed the timetable, we have taken
into account future growth and demand, as well as the views and
aspirations of a wide range of customers and stakeholders along the
entire 920-mile East Coast route." From 22 May, East Coast customers will benefit from: • A new early morning four-hour "Flying Scotsman" service between
Edinburgh and London, calling only at Newcastle;
• A train every 30 minutes between Leeds and London King's Cross, with
65 services per weekday between West Yorkshire and the capital;
• 11 new non-stop services per day between York and London;
• A northbound direct service from London to Harrogate for the first
time in 20 years;
• A new daily service between Lincoln and London;
• One hour later weekday departures to Edinburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed
and Newcastle from London King's Cross;
• Improvements to services for Northumberland stations, including a new
early-morning service from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth and Morpeth
which connects into the 'Flying Scotsman' service at Newcastle. This
will enable customers from Northumberland to arrive into London at
09.40;
• Improvements to Newark morning peak services to London King's Cross,
with two additional new services. Services between London and Hull, Bradford, Skipton, Aberdeen and
Inverness will continue to operate similar to the current timetable.
One East Coast service will continue to operate in each direction
between Glasgow Central and London King's Cross, via Motherwell, each
day. Karen Boswell added: "Among the many benefits to passengers, we are
delighted to introduce a new return service between Lincoln and London,
and the first direct northbound service to Harrogate in almost 20 years. "A new four-hour 'Flying Scotsman' service from Edinburgh to London on
weekday mornings, which stops at Newcastle and connects with
Northumberland stations, will also help us to continue to meet our
customers' needs and offer a very attractive alternative to flying." A copy of the new timetable will be available at
www.eastcoast.co.uk/22May from 09.00 today (Monday 14 February).
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