Bradford Calling - LNER More Than Triples Services to the UK City of Culture

The Yorkshire-based train operator has increased its services by 250 per cent Monday to Saturday, with seven trains per day in each direction now connecting Bradford Forster Square with the capital - up from two per day previously. Sunday services have also doubled, now with two trains each way, giving customers even more flexibility.

The extra LNER services will make it even easier for people to visit the region for both leisure and business. The first weekday train from London King’s Cross to Bradford Forster Square now arrives at 09:52 – compared with 19:30 previously, giving visitors a full day in the city. Southbound travellers can also now choose from trains running every two hours throughout the day.

Alongside an additional 1.9 million seats per year, the extra services are estimated to contribute £4 million annually to the local economy.

To mark the uplift in regional and national connectivity, publicly owned LNER hosted a colourful and vibrant celebration at Bradford Forster Square station filled with special guest performers.

The Bantam of the Opera choir, made up of fans of Bradford City AFC, Song-Geet, Bradford’s first all-women South Asian choir, Noor Jahangir, a young poet, performer, dancer and campaigner; born and bred in Bradford were among the performers who came together to celebrate the special occasion.

Extra LNER trains between Bradford Forster Square and London King’s Cross have been made possible through collaboration with Network Rail as they built Platform 0 at the West Yorkshire station, increasing train capacity, thanks to £35m of funding from the Department for Transport.

David Horne, Managing Director of LNER, said: “This is a huge boost in connectivity, both regionally and nationally, and one that we at LNER are proud to have been able to make happen. Bradford is a vibrant city with so much to offer. It is, of course, a special year for the area as it celebrates UK City of Culture status, and we are thrilled to welcome customers onboard as an official travel partner of Bradford 2025.

“With 1.9 Million extra seats annually, these services will continue in the years to come, allowing even more people to explore everything that this wonderful city has in store.”

Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, who officially opened the platform, said: “Thanks to £35 million of government investment, rail passengers in Bradford will now be connected to more jobs, education, and business opportunities.

“These additional services will not only create a more reliable and comfortable journey, but bring an estimated extra £4 million into the local economy each year.

“After decades of underfunding, this government is investing in change for the people of West Yorkshire by delivering the transport system they deserve.”

Daniel Bates, Executive Director of Bradford 2025, said: “Over this year we expect to attract 15.5m visitors to Bradford district so our partnerships with LNER and Network Rail are imperative to make the trip for those coming from further afield as easy as possible. Through these additional services we hope that even more people from across the UK are able to join us for spectacular installations in the landscape of the Brontës, theatrical performances of ‘The Railway Children’ on the same tracks seen as in the 1970 film, cutting edge music, dance, art, comedy and much more.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said: "I’m so pleased we've been able to work with LNER and Network Rail to get these additional services in place. This is a significant upgrade in rail capacity and connectivity to other major cities in the north, as well as London for the whole district.

"These services will provide better transport links to and from Bradford for years to come, giving people better access to more and better jobs, more opportunities to travel for education and training, and connection with other communities and cultural experiences, as well as giving people from across the country more opportunity to visit us in our year as UK City of Culture."

Jason Hamilton, Network Rail route director, said: “We’re hugely proud of the role Network Rail has played in making the new platform at Bradford Forster Square station a reality. This is a proud northern city which is enjoying strong economic growth, and this development complements and encourages this success.

“The increased number of services improves passenger experience, strengthens links with London, and enables more people to visit Bradford during its special year as UK City of Culture, and well into the future.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: “Getting more trains running between Bradford and London is a real step-change in our regional connectivity.

“As it’s City of Culture 2025, we can showcase Bradford on a national scale, while more Bradfordians can experience everything London has to offer.

“Whether it’s getting to jobs, education or experiencing the rich culture of West Yorkshire, more LNER services to our great city is one step closer toward a better-connected region.”

To help encourage more people to travel to Bradford on the train, LNER is offering great value fares. From the end of May to mid-November, 55,000 tickets are available at £30.60 or less, one way, between Bradford and London, with thousands of school holiday tickets priced under £40 one way.

For those travelling locally, tickets for travel between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square are just £2.80 one way, making travelling by train in the region a great option, rather than using a car.

For more information and to book your tickets to Bradford, visit: https://www.lner.co.uk/destinations/trains-to-bradford/