TransPennine Express creates new rail connection for hospital workers in North Yorkshire

Further train services are to be brought back later this month to help those returning to rail following lockdown. 

Train company TransPennine Express (TPE) will be making changes to some of its Yorkshire services from 17 May, including the creation of a new connection for hospital workers in Middlesbrough.

Following feedback from customers, a popular morning service from Redcar Central will be re-timed to leave earlier, allowing it to arrive in Middlesbrough in time for key workers to catch the local train to The James Cook University Hospital.

As restrictions continue to ease and more people return to rail, TPE will be reinstating another North Yorkshire service, as well as starting to operate two of its York to Scarborough trains through to Leeds again.

The changes are as follows:

• 06:07 Redcar Central to Middlesbrough service will instead leave at 06:00
• 07:34 Scarborough to York service will be extended through to Leeds (arriving 08:57)
• 08:34 Scarborough to York service will be reinstated
• 10:00 York to Scarborough service will begin starting at Leeds again at 09:27

Rail customers are advised to plan ahead, check before and follow the latest travel guidance, including wearing a face covering. 

Luke Gardner, Permanent Timetable Manager for TransPennine Express said: “We’ve taken the opportunity to make some changes to our timetable and I’m happy to announce that we will be able to reinstate some further services.

“Following valuable input from local customers, we’ve been able to provide a new connection to The University James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, allowing hospital workers to arrive at the hospital in time for their early morning shift.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access for North Yorkshire County Council said: “North Yorkshire County Council welcomes the additional Scarborough trains through to Leeds and that this is the start of the return to all services running to Leeds and beyond, and we look forward to working with TransPennine Express on further timetable enhancements in the future.”

Councillor Wayne Davies, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council commented: “I welcome the earlier departure of the first journey of the day to Middlesbrough that gives local people the opportunity to take the train to work at James Cook University Hospital.  Improving our passenger train services to make them more useable means that local people will be able to travel to work, education, leisure and other reasons whilst being able to help the environment.”

An enhanced cleaning programme and additional measures are currently in place across all of TPE’s trains and stations and anyone looking to travel can do so with confidence.

The latest information on travelling by train can be found here: tpexpress.co.uk/travelling-with-us/keeping-you-safe

Photo credit: TransPennine Express

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