A TRAIN operator which has faced a barrage of criticism from some local travellers over its standard of service has insisted that it is getting there as it marks its first anniversary.

Since February 1 last year, TransPennine Express has been in the hands of First Group and the French company Keolis, which won the franchise from Arriva Trains Northern to run services between the North-East, Teesside and the North-West.

Stations served include Darlington, Middlesbrough, Yarm, Northallerton and Thirsk, but last November there was criticism of a two-week temporary timetable, with some trains being replaced by buses, because of maintenance problems and a dispute with drivers over rest-day working.

More recently, there has been an attack on fare rises and an increase in station parking charges, and two weeks ago a regular commuter between Northallerton and Leeds castigated customer relations during a severe signalling delay, as well as the standard of train cleaning and catering services. She suggested that the rail regulator should consider withdrawing the franchise from First Group and Keolis.

This week, however, TransPennine Express said that, since taking over the franchise, it had experienced growth of 6pc, with an extra 750,000 passengers travelling on its trains, more seating capacity being introduced at peak times and journey times being cut.

Four trains had been added to the fleet at a cost of more than £700,000 a year and there were now 23 units with three carriages and 21 with two coaches. An additional 40 drivers had been recruited and trained.

The first of 51 new three-car diesel trains was nearing completion, ready for commissioning and due to enter service in 2006.

TransPennine Express said passenger train performance showed an improving annual trend, with an average of 75pc of trains arriving within five minutes of schedule, compared with an annual average of 73.9pc when the franchise began.

Development of a £12m station programme was under way to improve passenger information, safety and security and car park management.

More than £600,000 was being spent on new seating at stations, new cycle stands and reintroduction of litter bins. A tougher daily cleaning regime had been implemented at all 30 stations run by TransPennine Express.