Faster trains to Leeds and Edinburgh have been promised by Virgin Trains East Coast in a number of new initiatives being phased in over the next eight years.
There will be better food on board, increased flexibility for business travellers among the improved service which includes:
- Faster journey times– regular services to Leeds in two hours and Edinburgh in four hours.
- New trains– 65 new ‘Super Express’ trains from 2018.
- Flexibility– More flexible reservation system allowing reservations to be made closer to departure to better suit customers who make last minute travel arrangements.
- Fresh Food – New, improved on-train catering designed by local chefs with menus changed regularly to include seasonal events.
- Rewarding Experience– Customers booking online at virgintrainseastcoast.com or via their app will be able to collect two Nectar points for every pound spent. Customers can earn Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles too.
Virgin Trains East Coast expects to carry more than 20 million customers this year, with around 50% travelling on business.
But in an attempt to get more travellers to go by train instead of flying, it has reduced its flexible ‘Standard Anytime’ (tickets are valid on any train – return within one month) fares on long distance journeys to and from London by 10%.
