Arriva is to run additional services between England and Wales financed by German rail company Deutsche Bahn (DB).
An additional locomotive and four carriages will be put into service by Arriva Trains Wales on several routes connecting Llandudno and Holyhead to Manchester and Birmingham.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the introduction of the new services today (July 16) after receiving £1.2 million from Deutsche Bahn following its acquisition of Arriva in 2010.
The DfT said additional services should start in December, creating at least 2,450 extra seats across the morning and evening peaks.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This is good news for passengers travelling between England and Wales.
“I know how popular these services are, so it’s important to get extra carriages and seats on the network. It will mean better connections for thousands of passengers, and is further proof our long-term economic plan is on track, making a real difference to hard-working people.”
Ian Bullock, managing director of Arriva Trains Wales, said: “We would like to thank both the Department for Transport and the Welsh Government for supporting the provision of extra capacity on some of our busiest routes.
“Improved service performance levels and the increased popularity of sustainable transport has led to more than 75 per cent growth in passenger numbers using our Manchester and Birmingham services since our Wales and Borders franchise began in late 2003. This extra capacity will help us better meet the demand along these key routes and hopefully encourage even more passengers to use the rail network.”
