The planned CrossCountry expansion plans increase the seating capacity on its services by approximately 25%, compared to current levels. As part of the expansion, more than 12,000 additional seats per week will be made available to CrossCountry customers, aiming to enhance travel options during the busy summer season.
The operator, belonging to Arriva Group, has taken five more Voyager trains from Beacon Rail, adding to the seven extra Voyager trains previously secured in October. This addition of 12 trains, amounting to 60 extra carriages, is projected to boost the weekly capacity on north-south routes by over 36,000 seats. A new timetable, expected to be introduced from May 2025, will offer increased service frequency and longer trains, especially on the heavily utilized Reading to Newcastle corridor.
The gradual introduction of these extra trains on CrossCountry routes is scheduled to start from June 2024, after their release from Avanti West Coast. This is aimed at addressing the immediate need for more seating capacity during the peak travel season. Moreover, temporary adjustments to the timetable during the summer months will seek to reduce congestion on certain long-distance services by limiting the number of station stops for the busiest trains.
CrossCountry also plans to refurbish its entire fleet, including the 58 Voyager trains and the regional Turbostar trains. This refurbishment, expected to be completed by summer 2026, is designed to significantly improve the on-board experience for passengers across all routes operated by CrossCountry.
These developments are part of CrossCountry's efforts to address passenger needs for increased capacity and enhanced travel comfort. The refurbishment of the Voyager and Turbostar fleets will include updates to seating, on-board technology, and the exterior appearance of the trains.
