Northern Rail has launched a new service to provide direct trains between Halifax and Hull.
The improved east-to-west link means commuters have the option of travelling to Leeds twice an hour, up from just one journey.
Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for economic investment, said: “This additional service is one that will be welcomed by so many of our residents. For Hull to have two trains per hour to Leeds is a significant milestone that shows the demand for this service is growing.
“Improving Hull’s transport links to cities across the north, especially east-to-west connections, helps to strengthen our city’s position as a hub for economic growth and prosperity.”
The route was introduced as part of Northern’s new timetables designed to give customers a more reliable service across the network.
Teams from Northern are joined by Hull councillors and the business community at Hull Paragon Station to wave off one of Northern’s Class 158 trains as it headed off to Halifax.
Steve Hopkinson, regional director at Northern, said: “I’m delighted to have been able to introduce this new service which provides a great link between two of Yorkshire’s iconic locations and all points in between.
“We are determined to give our customers greater flexibility and better connectivity and this new service provides fantastic journey opportunities across the breadth of Yorkshire.”
It is one of more than 2,000 new services introduced by Northern each week since 2016. The firm has introduced 52 trains, with a further 49 to come in 2020, as part of a £500m investment that will include the refurbishment of existing trains and improvements at all stations.
