EMR offers more seats and quicker journeys as new timetable begins

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is able to offer its Intercity and Regional passengers quicker and more frequent journeys after it launched its new timetable today. 

The changes, which were made possible by the successful delivery of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line Upgrade by Network Rail, provide more seats, quicker journeys, and a simpler and more resilient timetable for communities across its network, with earlier and later services supporting leisure, business and tourism journeys.  

Passengers travelling down the Midland Main Line are set to benefit from several specific enhancements to the current service, including quicker peak journey times to London St Pancras International and consistent departure times through the day.

Day trippers or passengers wanting more flexibility will also be able to take advantage of the new timetable which will see earlier trains into London and later returns. 

EMR Regional has received an upgrade too, with a improved frequency of services, new direct journey options and later evening services from a number of stations.

The new timetable will also include the phased introduction of more Class 170 trains.

The trains, offer significant upgrades over the current fleet, including wider doors closer to the middle of the carriage making it easier for passengers to get on and off as well as a more accessible layout.

In due course, they will also be significantly refurbished, including upgrades such as the introduction of power sockets, improved CCTV, new interiors, enhanced information systems and better toilet interiors.

EMR has put in place many new measures so passengers can travel with confidence, these include enhanced monitoring, more cleaners, sourcing powerful disinfectant products and purchasing new specialist fogging cleaning equipment.

Further details of the timetable improvements are available on EMR's website here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/may21 

Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said he was excited that passengers can now take advantage their new timetable.

He said: "We are delighted to be able to start this new and significantly improved timetable. The £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade has allowed us to offers more seats, quicker journeys and more frequent journeys to our passengers across both our Regional and Intercity network. 

"The timetable includes earlier and later services supporting leisure, business and tourism journeys and will help to support the region's recovery out of the pandemic. 

Gary Walsh, Route Director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, added: “It’s brilliant to be welcoming passengers back to our new, improved railway. Many thousands of people from across our industry have worked together over several years to deliver the biggest step-change improvement for passengers and our freight customers in a generation on our route.

"Our £1.5bn investment has been carefully targeted to deliver best value for money and as the country moves out of Lockdown, we’re delighted to be doing our part to support its recovery by offering clean, safe and reliable services in partnership with our colleagues at EMR.”