Longer trains on the Wharfedale Line

Northern will begin introducing more six-carriage services between Ilkley, Leeds and Bradford Forster Square this week.

Across the networks this will provide more than 5,400 extra seats a day for customers on weekdays and Saturdays.

All of the electric trains which run on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines currently have three or four carriages. But Northern is now working to ensure at least one in six of these trains has six carriages.

Many will run during the busiest periods of the day on these routes, which are some of the best performing on Northern’s network.  

Northern say more than 99% of services running between Leeds, Ilkley, Skipton and Bradford Forster Square ran without cancellation in May.

It comes alongside a Network Rail project to extend platforms to accommodate longer trains at Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge, Shipley, Bingley, Guiseley, Menston and Burley in Wharfedale. 

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern in Yorkshire, said:

“We have been working hard to run a reliable service for customers on these routes and are now focused on providing extra capacity to meet demand.

“These six-carriage services will provide customers with more space and extra seats during the busiest periods so they can enjoy a more comfortable journey.”

Passengers should check posters and information screens or ask conductors to find out which doors they can use to get on and off six-carriage trains.

Earlier this year, Northern introduced cheaper Advance Purchase fares on the two routes into Bradford Forster Square, to support the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. 

A ticket from Ilkley, which cost £5.80 as a standard day single, is now available from just £1.80. On services from Skipton, which can cost £10.10 as standard day single, prices now start at £1.90.

Advance Purchase tickets are available to buy 12 weeks ahead of travel up until 15 minutes before departure, with the biggest discount available to those who book furthest in advance.