PASSENGER numbers are up on a rail franchise that changed hands 12 months ago.

Train operator First TransPennine Express reported a growth of six per cent, with an extra 750,000 people using its service than when it took over the franchise on February 1 last year.

The national average was passenger growth of four per cent.

Vernon Barker, managing director, said: "We have had a very successful first year.

"Passenger numbers have increased, we are running more trains and our investment plans are starting to make a difference for our customers.

"This is a great foundation for us to make further improvements and revitalise the TransPennine network."

The company, joint owned by First Group and Keolis, has three divisions. North TransPennine operates routes such as Newcastle to Manchester Airport, Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport and Scarborough to Liverpool.

It has been criticised by the North-East Rail Passengers Committee over heavy-handed tactics used by ticket inspectors, and came under fire earlier this month for doubling car parking fees at Northallerton station in North Yorkshire.

The company pointed out it has recorded positive results in the National Passenger Survey and also carried out a major customer service staff training programme.

A total of 14.3 million passengers used First TransPennine Express during its first year.

Passenger train performance improved slightly, with an average of 75 per cent of trains arriving within five minutes of schedule, compared to 73.9 per cent when the franchise began.

The number of train services running across the network has increased from 220 to 235 a day.

Four trains have been added to the First TransPennine Express fleet at a cost of more than £700,000 a year.

It is planning to build one of three new train maintenance depots in York, along with a £12m station improvement programme.