First TransPennine Express
First TransPennine Express (FTPE) runs inter-city train services on three main routes across the North of England.
We link Liverpool and Manchester with Leeds, York and the North East, with Sheffield and Doncaster, and with the Lake District and beyond. We also link Manchester with Glasgow and Edinburgh. We offer fast, frequent, trains to Manchester Airport.
Find out more about First TransPennine Express
First TransPennine Express facts:
- Commenced operation in February 2004 (franchise ends in April 2015, extended for three years by the Department for Transport)
- Passenger journeys have increased from 13m in 2004 to 25m in 2012/13, up by more than 92%
- 153 new vehicles introduced since 2004 including maintenance and support facilities
- Rail's share of access to Manchester Airport has increased by more than 150% since 2004 due to new FTPE services
- Groundbreaking use of social media and mobile apps in the rail industry
- Ten new 4-car trains procured to lengthen services on the Manchester-Scotland route being introduced from December 2013
- More than 91.5% punctuality and reliability achieved in the past year
- Passenger satisfaction of 88% in autumn 2012, up by 14% since the start of the franchise
- Train Operator of the Year at the Rail Business Awards 2012