East Midlands Railway (EMR) has increased the number of available seats on their services this week for busy times over weekends.

The changes come as part of EMR’s December timetable changes which have been put in place due to emerging trends.

The rail provider has also strengthened some weekend Intercity services due to a large increase in demand.

EMR have carried out a detailed study of all days, against current formations for all services both to and from London.

The analysis brought to light a number of weekend services that would benefit from strengthening as well as some weekday services.

Paul Barnfield, Operations Director at East Midlands Railway, said:

“Over the past six months, we have seen demand rise quickly in separate and specific areas of our timetable, with weekend services proving to be popular. Following detailed analysis, we have identified some key services which we can strengthen – helping to offer passengers more seats at the times they want.

“As well as weekend services, we are also making some targeted weekday improvements on busier services.”

Below are some examples of some of the services that have been strengthened:

Weekday Services:

• 0700 Sheffield to St Pancras – 9 car service in place of 5

• 1702 St Pancras – Sheffield – 10 car service in place of 5

• 1937 Sheffield – St Pancras – 10 car service in place of 5

Saturday Services:

• 0950 Nottingham – St Pancras – 10 car service in place of 5

• 1112 Nottingham – St Pancras – 10 car service in place of 4

• 1937 Sheffield – St Pancras- 9 car service in place of 5

Sunday Services:

• 0926 Nottingham – St Pancras – 10 car service in place of 5

• 0930 St Pancras – Sheffield – 10 car service in place of 5

• 1732 St Pancras – Sheffield – 10 car service in place of 5

22 Regional services will also be reinstated as part of the EMR December timetable changes, with the increases set to be carried out in two stages, however, the majority of services were back in service from the 13th of December. The second stage of the increases will come into action from Monday the 3rd of January which is timed for passengers returning to work and education.

EMR will be running 486 trains each day from the 3rd of January 2022 which is 87 more than on the previous timetable. The increases include EMR’s Liverpool to Norwich service and also sees reinstatements between Crewe and Newark Castle and Nottingham, Worksop, Leicester and Cleethorpes routes.

To find out more about the EMR timetable please visit: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/timetables