More CrossCountry seats for holidaymakers

For the first time since 1986, two nine-coach HSTs, with buffet car catering and seating 544 passengers each, will run between Newcastle, Bristol and Paignton, and between Manchester and Newquay. Two further seven-coach HSTs with at-seat trolley catering and seating 445 passengers each will link Newcastle and Newquay.

Providing spacious and comfortable travel for holidaymakers, the popular HSTs are also the only trains able to carry the many large surfboards which dominate the summer waves at Newquay and have generous luggage accommodation at the front of each train. The expected high demand for this luggage space means that cycles are unable to be carried on these services.

Booking early, customers can take advantage of good value single fares such as from £21 from Manchester to Newquay and £24 from Newcastle to Newquay, all including complimentary seat reservations. The summer Saturday trains are now open for booking on 24 and 31 May and 7 and 14 June at www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk or by 'phoning 08448 110 124.

The two nine-coach HSTs have been hired from National Express East Coast, with the other two being part of CrossCountry's introduction of five HSTs from December 2008.

CrossCountry Managing Director Andy Cooper said: "We are delighted to be able to offer so much extra capacity this summer for holidaymakers to the Westcountry. With the region's roads expected to be extremely busy, our HSTs and great value fares are the perfect accompaniment to a summer holiday."

For more information feel free to contact us on 0121 6547010.

Notes to editors

CrossCountry summer Saturday HST services are as follows:

09:41 Newcastle - Newquay
09.40 Newquay - Newcastle
24 May to 6 September (inclusive)

07:24 Manchester - Newquay
15:22 Newquay - Manchester
24/31 May and from 5 July to 30 August (inclusive)
On other summer Saturdays, these trains will be formed of Voyagers.
07:35 Bristol Temple Meads - Paignton
10:32 Paignton - Newcastle
24/31 May and from 5 July to 22 August (inclusive)
On other summer Saturdays, these trains will be formed of Voyagers.

CrossCountry started operating on 11 November 2007. The franchise, which is the most extensive in the UK, will run until 31 March 2016. For further information on CrossCountry services and future franchise plans log on to www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

CrossCountry facts and figures

STATIONS SERVED: 133
ROUTE MILES: 1,654
WEEKDAY SERVICES: 288
PASSENGERS CARRIED: Over 30 million passenger journeys a year anticipated
ANNUAL TRAIN MILEAGE: Approximately 16 million
EMPLOYEES: Approximately 1,800
LONGEST TRAIN SERVICE: Penzance to Dundee (701 miles)

CrossCountry is part of the Arriva group which operates transport services in ten European countries, employs more than 37,000 people and provides more than one billion passenger journeys every year. For more information about the Arriva group visit www.arriva.co.uk

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