Avanti West Coast has introduced its new December timetable with an increase to services on its Liverpool route.
Launched this week, the intercity operator’s new timetable is focused on enhancing connectivity to Liverpool, with customers travelling on this route now able to benefit from the option of two trains per hour throughout most of the day between Liverpool and London.
The timetable also provides a direct link to the capital for the wider Liverpool City Region through the introduction of Avanti West Coast services at Liverpool South Parkway station. On weekdays and Saturdays, a new hourly service will connect local communities to London in just over two hours on one of 170 trains that are scheduled to stop at the station per week.
In addition, the timetable uplift includes the launch of a weekday return service between Hartford and London, connecting east Cheshire to the capital in under two hours – benefitting those travelling for business with a morning southbound service departing at 08:10, and an evening return service departing at 18:43.
Building on the progress made in the previous timetable changes in May and September this year, the additional Avanti West Coast services equate to an increase of over 20,000 seats per week. This takes the total number of services to the highest ever level to operate on the West Coast Main Line – with a total of 2,083 now scheduled to run weekly.
The enhancement of services on the route between Liverpool and London has been made possible following the introduction of Avanti West Coast’s new Evero fleet – a £350m investment of 13 bi-mode (Class 805) and 10 electric (Class 807) trains.
The introduction of the calling point at Liverpool South Parkway adds additional connectivity for customers travelling on flights to one of over 60 destinations from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with the station offering a shuttle bus to and from the airport every 10-20 minutes throughout the week. With larger luggage racks and more space for bags between seats on Avanti’s Class 807 fleet, customers choosing to connect to the airport via this route can expect a comfortable and smooth start to their trip.
Smaller regions across the West Coast Main Line will also notice an increase to direct services to and from London. The additional services added in the timetable between Liverpool and London will call at Tamworth and Lichfield Trent Valley, further building on the progress made in the operator’s September timetable uplift this year to enhance connectivity between these locations and the capital.
Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering on our promise to increase our services between Liverpool and London. The introduction of services at Liverpool South Parkway station and the new direct link to the capital will add a huge benefit to the wider region.
“The uplift in services means that we are now running more services than ever across the West Coast Main Line. We’re continuing to grow our timetable in a measured and sustainable way – maintaining the standards our customers rightly deserve.”
Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “The introduction of these additional Avanti West Coast services between Liverpool and London is fantastic news for our city region.
“Additional transport links to the capital can only have a positive effect on our city region economy and the addition of an hourly stop at Liverpool South Parkway means more of our residents will enjoy improved connections to intercity routes and the great opportunities that can bring.
“We’re really excited to see the contribution these services will make to our plans for a more sustainable transport network and how they will help to connect communities across the country.”
Image credit: Avanti West Coast
