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UK to boost TransPennine Express capacity 30% with new trains

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 3:24 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The UK Department for Transport announced battery-electric trains for TransPennine Express.
The new fleet will increase north-south capacity by 30% with thousands of extra seats by the early-mid 2030s.
Journey times may drop up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes to York.
Rock Rail will purchase the trains and lease them to TransPennine Express.

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Story summary

The UK Department for Transport announced battery-electric trains for TransPennine Express.
The new fleet will increase north-south capacity by 30% with thousands of extra seats by the early-mid 2030s.
Journey times may drop up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes to York.
Rock Rail will purchase the trains and lease them to TransPennine Express.