(Image: Alstom)
CrossCountry has announced plans to boost its long-distance fleet.
Eight additional Voyager trains will enter service from early 2027, increasing capacity across the CrossCountry network between major towns and cities across Great Britain.
The new trains build on CrossCountry’s existing fleet expansion, bringing the total to 60,000 extra seats per week since 2024.
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Shiona Rolfe, managing director of CrossCountry, said: "Our customers want a railway they can rely on, and these additional Voyager trains are an important step towards delivering that.
"They will give us greater flexibility and capacity across the network, helping us reduce crowding, improve reliability and support future timetable improvements.
"Together with our fleet refurbishment programme, this investment demonstrates our commitment to delivering the reliable railway our customers deserve and building a stronger CrossCountry for the future."
The extra trains were secured through collaboration between CrossCountry, Arriva, the Department for Transport, and Beacon, a rolling stock company.
They will support CrossCountry’s ongoing refurbishment plans, designed to improve comfort, onboard facilities, and overall passenger experience.
Lord Hendy, rail minister, said: "Once these extra trains are in service, it means more seats, less crowding and greater resilience for services between major towns and cities across Great Britain, from Edinburgh and Glasgow in the north to Southampton and Bournemouth in the south."
The first of the additional Voyager trains is expected to enter service from early 2027, with the rest following in stages up to May 2028.
Each train will undergo detailed work to integrate with the existing fleet before entering service.
CrossCountry’s Voyager and Turbostar fleets are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment.
The operator said the investment will boost reliability, passenger comfort, and the overall customer experience across the network.
As these trains join the CrossCountry fleet, they will provide additional capacity and open up new journey opportunities on routes including Edinburgh and Glasgow, Reading and Newcastle, Reading and Southampton, and Manchester and Bournemouth.