MORE than 2,000 extra seats will be provided across train services in Hampshire to cater for a surge in popularity of rail travel.
Services will be increased by 40 per cent – or 11 extra trains a day – in the county from Monday to Saturday as part of a new look timetable being rolled out by train operator CrossCountry.
The changes, which will take effect on December 13, are set to boost routes from Southampton and surrounding stations towards the Thames Valley, Midlands and the north.
Meanwhile extra trains will be laid on for commuters travelling from the city to Winchester, Basingstoke and Reading.
Southampton’s booming cruise ship industry has been highlighted as one of the key reasons for the injection of extra services.
CrossCountry’s managing director Andy Cooper said: “Southampton is a thriving city to do business in and a great place to visit, so these extra services are great news for everyone.
“There are extra journey opportunities for commuters and the thousands of cruise line passengers travelling from and to the port will now have more trains to select.
“This is about making train travel even more attractive and that’s only possible if trains are there at a time and place where people want them. We believe we’ve done that and hope our extra services to Southampton will help support the local economy by giving more journey opportunities and importantly, more choice.”
The new rail services
To Southampton:
06:15 Leeds arriving Southampton at 11:17
06:33 Birmingham New Street arriving Southampton at 09:17
07:23 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 13:17
09:35 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 15:17
11:27 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 17:17
13:34 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 19:53
From Southampton:
08:01 *Winchester Newcastle (via Birmingham NS) *Winchester start
09:46 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS)
11:46 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS)
13:46 Southampton Edinburgh (via Birmingham NS)
15:47 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS)
17:46 Southampton York (via Birmingham NS)
Saturdays only
To Southampton:
06:33 Birmingham New Street arriving Southampton at 09:17
06:15 Leeds arriving Southampton at 11:17
07:25 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 13:17
09:25 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 15:17
11:25 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 17:17
13:27 Newcastle arriving Southampton at 19:17
From Southampton:
07:47 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS) 09:47 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS)
11:47 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS)
13:47 Southampton Edinburgh (via Birmingham NS)
15:47 Southampton Newcastle (via Birmingham NS)
17:47 Southampton York (via Birmingham NS)
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