CrossCountry plans 60,000 extra train seats

Passengers travelling between some of Britain's biggest cities could have access to 60,000 extra rail seats each week under plans from CrossCountry.

The eight additional trains would increase capacity on services running through Birmingham to Glasgow, Penzance and Bournemouth, as well as Leeds, Leicester, Sheffield, Cardiff, Cambridge and Manchester.

CrossCountry said the first of the extra Voyager trains would enter service in early 2027, with the remainder arriving by May 2028.

The announcement comes after data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) suggested the operator's punctuality fell by more than six percentage points between April and June 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

Shiona Rolfe, managing director of CrossCountry, said the investment demonstrated the company's commitment to delivering "the reliable railway our customers deserve" and building a stronger business for the future.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the additional trains would mean "more seats, less crowding and greater resilience" on services linking towns and cities across the country.

CrossCountry currently operates 70 Voyager units, built in Derby between 2000 and 2001.

The eight additional trains will take the fleet to 78 and are being secured through an agreement involving the Department for Transport, rolling stock leasing company Beacon and Arriva, CrossCountry's parent company.

Amanda Furlong, managing director of Arriva Trains UK, said the extra capacity would support a "more reliable and resilient railway".

"It will also help to make travelling by rail a more attractive and comfortable option, encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and travel sustainably on public transport," she said.

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