CrossCountry has announced that a series of service enhancements and timetable changes will take effect from Sunday 18 May 2025, as part of the UK rail network’s biannual timetable review. The operator says the new schedule is designed to improve reliability, comfort, and capacity across its long-distance and inter-regional routes.
Key improvements include:
- 28,000 additional seats per week
- Nine more Voyager trains added to the long-distance fleet
- Extra weekday services
- Longer trains more often between major cities
The operator confirmed that the Reading to Newcastle corridor via Birmingham, Doncaster and York will benefit most from the extra capacity, helping to reduce overcrowding and make journeys more comfortable.
Improved Fleet and Customer Comfort
The Class 220 and 221 Voyager fleet, which serves many of CrossCountry’s longest routes, will begin a refurbishment programme later this year. This follows ongoing upgrades to the Class 170 Turbostar trains, which serve routes including Cardiff to Nottingham and Birmingham to Stansted Airport.
Passengers can expect:
- New seating
- Improved power and charging points
- A refreshed external livery
- Brighter and more welcoming interiors
The Turbostar upgrades are scheduled for completion by 2028, while the Voyager refurbishment is set to begin later in 2025.
A Greener, More Reliable Service
Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry, said:
“We know customers rely on us to get to where they need to be. Our May 2025 timetable update aims to improve reliability and comfort levels across the country, as well as helping more people to leave the car at home and take the train.”
The new timetable has already been uploaded to journey planning platforms, allowing customers to check their future journeys in advance.
