By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 12:56, Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Rail company First TransPennine Express has pledged to end chronic overcrowding on trains between Carlisle and Manchester Airport.

Passenger numbers have soared since First TransPennine took over the route from Virgin Trains in December 2007.

But trains are often full by the time they leave Carlisle and Penrith, and can be heaving by the time they reach Bolton and Manchester.

Conductors frequently “declassify” first-class seats to allow standard-class passengers more room.

The company expects overcrowding to ease from the end of next year when new trains arrive.

It placed an order in February for 10 electric trains from manufacturer Siemens.

Each will have four carriages and 210 seats – 19 in first class – and should be capable of speeds up to 110mph.

First TransPennine plans to provide an hourly service from Glasgow or Edinburgh through Carlisle to Manchester Airport with most trains made up of two four-car sets, providing eight coaches and 420 seats.

Nick Donovan, the company’s managing director, said: “This is really good news for customers.

“We know that many of our services are busy and the procurement of an additional 40 carriages will help to provide a much-needed increase in seating capacity in response to growing customer demand.”

The new Class 350/4 trains will have more luggage space than existing Class 185 diesel units.

They will still carry a catering trolley and bike storage. Seating will be similar and each set will have wheelchair access, three toilets and CCTV passenger-information systems.

Meanwhile, First TransPennine says it expects no disruption to services as a result of a 24-hour strike by cleaners on Saturday and a ban on overtime next week.

The cleaners are employed by Carlisle Cleaning and Support Services and have rejected a three per cent pay offer.

Their union, the RMT, is seeking a substantial increase in line with the 10 per cent pay award won last year by Carlisle Cleaning staff working on Virgin trains.

RMT regional organiser Craig Johnston said: “None of us wants to be in this position but the company won’t move. These people are basically on not much more than the minimum wage.”

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk