The timetable, which was introduced on December 14, will see an extra 690 trains running on the network every day - a 3.4% increase across England on weekdays, a 5.2% increase for Saturday services and 7.6% more trains running on Sundays.
Andrew Adonis said:
"The popularity of rail travel has grown massively in recent years and it's vital we keep up with this demand. This new timetable will see many more trains running every day, many of them originally specified by the Government and now being introduced by franchised train operators. In all, there will be 20% more trains than 10 years ago.
" We use the rail franchising system to get the best possible value for passengers and taxpayers, and to maximise the number and quality of trains."
Areas affected by the timetable changes include:
North West (Liverpool, Manchester)
Northern
The timetable changes that will take place from December 2008 are primarily related to the facilitation of the enhanced Virgin West Coast Timetable. As a result of the increased 2 trains per hour to 3 trains per hour from London to Manchester, train paths in the south Manchester area have had to be reviewed and Northern has had to relinquish some of those paths to facilitate the Virgin timetable. The south Manchester changes can be summarised as follows:
* A slight reduction in the level of service at some stations between Crewe and Manchester;
* A revision to the service structure between Chester and Manchester, with passengers having to change at Stockport and travel onward; and
* Minor timing changes to many of the services around Manchester;
Additionally, December 2008 will see the introduction of the new service between Leeds - Sheffield - Nottingham (1 trains per hour).
Andrew Adonis said:
"I am pleased train companies have worked hard to fulfill their commitment to increase the number trains running across the network and that passengers in Liverpool and Manchester will benefit from this.
"The Liverpool to Birmingham service will double from one train an hour to two while passengers travelling between London and Manchester Piccadilly will see three services an hour instead of two."
