Edinburgh trains: New timetable brings more rail services and faster journey times
Edinburgh will see faster train journeys and increased services as part of the biggest timetable change on the East Coast Main Line in more than a decade launched today.
Network Rail said the new timetable would mean more than 60,000 extra seats a week across the whole East Coast route, and better connectivity, with the journey time between Edinburgh and London reduced by around 15 minutes on some services.
That will mean some trains from London to Edinburgh will take just over four hours.
Some journeys between Edinburgh and York will be cut by around 10 minutes.
And TransPennine Express services between Newcastle and Edinburgh will increase to eight trains per day in each direction Monday-Saturday and seven trains in each direction on Sundays.
Ellie Burrows, Eastern regional managing director of Network Rail, said: “The industry has been preparing for many years for the new timetable, which will unlock thousands more seats, more frequent trains, and quicker journeys along the East Coast Main Line.
“Our priority now is to continue working together to deliver the long-term benefits of this timetable change, the biggest in over a decade, for our passengers and the communities we serve.”
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “This is the biggest timetable change on the East Coast Main Line in more than a decade, and it marks a major step forward for passengers and communities.
“Thanks to £4 billion of investment, we’re delivering faster journeys, thousands of extra seats, more cheap fares, and better connections across the country – and it is needed, with the North East seeing the highest growth in rail passenger journeys in the UK last year.
“These improvements won’t just make travel easier – they’ll open up access to jobs, unlock new homes, and create opportunities for growth along the route.”
LNER said the timetable changes would bring significant economic benefits, generating millions of pounds for local economies.
It said independent research showed that LNER contributes £3.11 billion annually to the UK economy, delivering £3.70 in economic, social and environmental benefits for every £1 spent.
It claimed LNER services already generate £463 million a year for Scotland and the new timetable would add another £14.6 million of benefits annually.
And it said there would be more frontline rail staff recruited to support the expanded services.
James Downey, finance director at LNER, said: “These are exciting times for LNER and the rail industry. Every day, our services strengthen the UK – connecting people, driving economic growth, and creating new opportunities. With more services and greater choice, we’ll continue to deliver benefits for our local businesses and communities across our route.”