Photo: David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, and Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, celebrating the additional services at Scarborough station.
Commuters are set to benefit from extra train services on the York to Scarborough line after David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, secured Government backing.
TransPennine Express currently operates one service per hour on the line, but from December 2028 there will two additional services in the morning and evening.
Extra services between York and Scarborough were one of a number of improvements called for by Lord David Blunkett in his White Rose Plan for Rail.
Mayor David Skaith worked with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Lord Blunkett on the plan, which sets out how they can work together to better connect people and grow the economy.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
"Giving people more options for getting to and from work, study and school has been at the heart of our work to boost the number of trains between Scarborough and York. This is a significant win for our communities in York, Malton, Seamer, and Scarborough.
“For too long, commuters have needed more flexibility, and these extra morning and evening services are a major step towards our goal of a half-hourly service connecting the coast to the city.
“I said we'd make sure the impact of Northern Powerhouse Rail was felt right across our region and this is a landmark step towards better connectivity right across the North. It is exactly what the new Great British Railways should deliver, services that puts passengers first and fuels our local economy."
This service will be one of the first services run under Great British Railways, the new name for the nationalisation of rail services in the UK.
It means that there will be additional services at 6.35am and 5.35pm from York to Scarborough, as well as extra trains from Scarborough to York at 7.30am and 6.30pm.
Together with the new station at Haxby, additional services between York and Scarborough will maximise benefits of wider investment in the Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said:
"We’re delighted to be delivering these additional services between York and Scarborough, which will give our customers more choice and greater flexibility at the times they need it most.
“We’re proud to play our part in supporting the region’s growth and we are dedicated to improving connectivity for the communities we serve and to ensure that rail truly delivers for passengers today and for the future."
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy said:
"The increase in services on the York to Scarborough line will be transformative for passengers, giving more choice and greater flexibility to communities across North Yorkshire.
"This is part of our plan for better connectivity as we establish Great British Railways - creating an easy to use, reliable railway that puts passengers first and supports growth, jobs and homes across the UK."
Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said:
“I’ve campaigned for a better train service between Scarborough and York since being elected, so this is a big win for our local community.
“It shows what can happen when you have a Labour MP working with a Labour Mayor and a Labour government.
“Better connectivity, which these extra services will bring for commuters and students, is key to unlocking Scarborough’s potential.
“That’s why I’m going to continue pressing for two trains an hour throughout the entire day.
“This hugely significant step forward represents a major boost for the local economy and should deliver greater opportunities to the people of Scarborough, which can only be good news.”
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said:
“Better connectivity between York and Scarborough is a welcome step. I’ve long pushed for improvements between the towns and more frequent services should make journeys more reliable for passengers while supporting the local economy. I look forward to seeing the detail and ensuring it delivers in practice for my constituents.”
Luke Charters, MP for York Outer, said:
“This is great news for York Outer. More frequent trains between York and Scarborough will be good for commuters and good for those seeking the sun in Scarborough.
Extra services will mean more reliable journeys, better options at peak times, and more flexibility for those travelling regularly for work, education or appointments, as well as making trips to the coast easier to plan. And with Haxby station on the way, local residents will be able to hop on the train at Haxby and head straight to Scarborough to enjoy everything our fantastic seaside has to offer.”
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
“This funding from the Government is extremely welcome and will be of real benefit to people who are travelling to and from Scarborough as they will be able to access the additional train services.
“It is so important that we have the best possible rail network across the whole of North Yorkshire, including key coastal towns such as Scarborough.
“We want people to have options as to how they travel especially on public transport, bringing environmental benefits and also boosting our economy through investment such as these additional train services during peak commuter times.”
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said:
"After a long campaign, increasing the commuter services between York and Scarborough will give more opportunities for people in York and North Yorkshire.
"It is the difference of having a Labour Government, a Labour Mayor and a Labour MP at each end of the route, all committed to seeing well connected services.
"People need the real choice of travelling by train rather than by car and to be able to rely on the service. This kind of shift can contribute to improving people’s quality of life and the environment, alongside the economy.
"With York Central moving forward, York will really gain from better connections across North Yorkshire, so I really welcome the announcement and another boost for our city."