LocoTrain

virgin trains: timetable boost for manchester function setaction() { document.aspnetform.action = window.location.pathname; return true; } var sc_project=1704631; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_partition=16; var sc_security="69114f49"; _uacct = "ua-496972-4"; urchintracker(); politics unspun opinion formers a-z listopinion formers issue listpress centre press releases: pat statement on staying safe action planadi: chinese new year holds little promise for the rat ifaw: three elephants killed in train crashnfu: bitter disappointment as milk co-op merger talks called offpcs: coastguards start voting on strike actionnhf: 'work or lose home' scheme would be unfair and impossible to enforceabi research conference: economic challenges and opportunities facing the ukrha in the heart of westminsterrio tinto announces a coal resource of over 1 billion tonnes at chapudi rethink: keep cannabis class c â€“ classification makes no difference, claims report | more on rss | sign up for daily newsletter web: site: political news headlines issue of the day party politics education health domestic policy foreign policy public services environment economy devolved government opinion formers about opinion formers opinion formers a-z opinion formers by issue opinion former events press centre in focus public health focus public health poll more ...</u>" href="/in-focus">more ... reference legislation consultations issue briefs mp profiles government ministers parliamentary business political guide make homepage media centre press centre - hometoday's press releasesyesterday's press releases virgin trains: timetable boost for manchester thursday, 24 may 2007 10:51 this week's most read cogent: launch of the national skills academy for nuclear cep: england victimised yet again by united kingdom government buav: campaigners win key animal test freedom of information court victory rio tinto: coal & allied annual results 2007 - coal & allied profit affected by infrastructure constraints and adverse weather united response welcomes csci report that highlights shortfalls in social care virgin trains has today announced that it is to provide an additional 12 trains a day between manchester and london, when its new virgin high frequency timetable starts in january 2009. during the off-peak period, three trains each hour will run between the two cities. off-peak trains will leave manchester every 20 minutes and will take just over two hours to complete the 184 mile journey to london at an average speed of 89mph. five trains are planned to arrive in london before 09:00, two more than in today's timetable. virgin expects to provide more than 45 trains each weekday from manchester. piccadilly to london euston. two trains each hour will operate via stoke-on-trent, with one via wilmslow. virgin's pendolino trains from manchester will also serve stockport to/from london only as well as providing a regular hourly service at macclesfield, crewe and milton keynes. the new timetable will provide more than 5,000 additional seats between manchester and london each weekday. and the good news for weekend travellers is that a 20 minute interval service is being planned for much of the day on saturdays and sundays. virgin trains business development director tim shoveller said: "this is great news for manchester and the first time that a long distance inter city service has operated at a frequency normally seen only on suburban rail networks. "with a 20 minute frequency passengers can throw away the timetable", he added. virgin trains media information all virgin trains press releases, and general information about our west coast and crosscountry operations can be found on the virgin trains media website at www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com also available is a media resources section which contains around 100 high-resolution images, which can be freely downloaded for editorial use. you will need to register to access the media resource section and you can chose to have our press release notifications mailed to you as soon as they are issued. notes to editors ã˜ from january 2009, the virgin high frequency timetable will also provide a train every 20 minutes between birmingham and london and also an new hourly service between chester and london, as part of a 32% increase in daily train services which will provide an extra 13 million seats a year across virgin trains' west coast business. journey times on all routes will be improved. ã˜ virgin trains is the brand name of virgin rail group and operates two rail franchises - west coast trains and crosscountry trains. both franchises commenced in 1997. virgin rail group is bidding to win the new cross country franchise which is due to start in november 2007. ã˜ virgin rail group is owned 51 percent by virgin group and 49 percent by stagecoach. ã˜ virgin group and stagecoach group are also bidding to win for the intercity east coast franchise. disclaimer: press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. the content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation. sign up get your press releases published on politics.co.uk. email opinionformers@politics.co.uk for more information. press releases archived by subject area animal welfarelegal and constitutional policing and crimeeconomy and finance educationemployment environment and rural affairsequality foreign policyhealth housing and planningcommunities and local government culture, media and sporttransport welfare and pensionsbusiness and industry energychildren and family â© 2008 www.politics.co.uk. about politics.co.uk | advertise |editorial policy | editorial board | privacy | terms of use