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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| More and faster trains promised | More and faster trains promised |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Rail passengers across Britain will benefit from almost 700 extra services a day on weekdays when a new timetable begins next week, train operators say. | Rail passengers across Britain will benefit from almost 700 extra services a day on weekdays when a new timetable begins next week, train operators say. |
| The Association of Train Operating Companies said weekday services would increase by 3.4%, including some faster and longer trains. | The Association of Train Operating Companies said weekday services would increase by 3.4%, including some faster and longer trains. |
| Customer watchdog Passenger Focus said it welcomed the imminent completion of the West Coast Main Line upgrade. | |
| But the move comes as fares are due to rise on average by 6% from 2 January. | But the move comes as fares are due to rise on average by 6% from 2 January. |
| Full list of charges | Full list of charges |
| Michael Roberts, Atoc's chief executive, said rail companies would be operating 265,000 more trains a year from Sunday in England, Scotland and Wales. | Michael Roberts, Atoc's chief executive, said rail companies would be operating 265,000 more trains a year from Sunday in England, Scotland and Wales. |
| That figure includes an extra 5.2% more services on Saturdays and an extra 7.6% on Sundays. | That figure includes an extra 5.2% more services on Saturdays and an extra 7.6% on Sundays. |
| Many services would be faster and feature longer trains, he added, and the completion of a multi-billion pound upgrade would mean faster journeys on the London to Scotland West Coast main line. | Many services would be faster and feature longer trains, he added, and the completion of a multi-billion pound upgrade would mean faster journeys on the London to Scotland West Coast main line. |
| "The new timetable is a clear demonstration that the railway industry continues to add value for passengers," he said. | "The new timetable is a clear demonstration that the railway industry continues to add value for passengers," he said. |
| "The improvements will be felt by people in many parts of the country, whether they are regular commuters or occasional travellers on the main inter-city routes." | "The improvements will be felt by people in many parts of the country, whether they are regular commuters or occasional travellers on the main inter-city routes." |
| New stations | New stations |
| Other improvements will include the opening of four new stations during the timetable period - Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Buckinghamshire; Corby, Northamptonshire; East Midlands Parkway, Nottinghamshire; and Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire. | Other improvements will include the opening of four new stations during the timetable period - Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Buckinghamshire; Corby, Northamptonshire; East Midlands Parkway, Nottinghamshire; and Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire. |
| Eight additional towns and cities are also to be linked by direct services to London: Alsager, Cheshire; Atherstone, Warwickshire; Corby; Ivybridge, Devon; Lincoln; and Rugeley, Stone and Kidsgrove, all in Staffordshire. | Eight additional towns and cities are also to be linked by direct services to London: Alsager, Cheshire; Atherstone, Warwickshire; Corby; Ivybridge, Devon; Lincoln; and Rugeley, Stone and Kidsgrove, all in Staffordshire. |
| Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus's chief executive, said that travellers would welcome shorter journey times and less overcrowding as a result of the West Coast Main Line upgrade. | Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus's chief executive, said that travellers would welcome shorter journey times and less overcrowding as a result of the West Coast Main Line upgrade. |
| "Passengers tell us that additional trains, punctual services and an end to overcrowding are their top priorities," he said. | "Passengers tell us that additional trains, punctual services and an end to overcrowding are their top priorities," he said. |
| "The successful delivery of the most frequent inter-city rail service in Europe for passengers travelling to the north west will go a long way to compensate passengers' tolerance during engineering work." | "The successful delivery of the most frequent inter-city rail service in Europe for passengers travelling to the north west will go a long way to compensate passengers' tolerance during engineering work." |
RAIL COMPANY FARE RISES | RAIL COMPANY FARE RISES |
Proposed changes from 2 January 2009 | Proposed changes from 2 January 2009 |
| Train company Avge regulated rise Avge unregulated rise Arriva Trains Wales 6% 6% c2c 6% 6% Chiltern Railways 6% 7.50% CrossCountry 6% 11% East Midlands Trains 6% 7.40% First Capital Connect 6% 9% First Great Western 6% 6.60% First ScotRail 6% 6% First TransPennine Express 6% 6.40% London Midland 6% 0% Merseyrail 5% 5% National Express East Anglia 6% 6% National Express East Coast 6% 7.40% Northern Rail 6% 7% Southeastern 8% 6% Southern 6% 6% South West Trains 6% 7.20% Virgin Trains 6% 7% Average 6% 7% Source: Atoc | Train company Avge regulated rise Avge unregulated rise Arriva Trains Wales 6% 6% c2c 6% 6% Chiltern Railways 6% 7.50% CrossCountry 6% 11% East Midlands Trains 6% 7.40% First Capital Connect 6% 9% First Great Western 6% 6.60% First ScotRail 6% 6% First TransPennine Express 6% 6.40% London Midland 6% 0% Merseyrail 5% 5% National Express East Anglia 6% 6% National Express East Coast 6% 7.40% Northern Rail 6% 7% Southeastern 8% 6% Southern 6% 6% South West Trains 6% 7.20% Virgin Trains 6% 7% Average 6% 7% Source: Atoc |
| Return to story | Return to story |