A RAIL company has unveiled its plans to reshape the future of travel in the region by promising to attract more customers away from cars and on to trains.

Arriva launched its campaign, part of a bid to take over the Transpennine franchise, currently operated by York-based Northern Spirit, by distributing leaflets at stations throughout the North-East.

The Sunderland-based company is promising to invest in new trains and provide a more efficient infrastructure. It has also promised to deliver faster journey times, more frequent services and better access to stations.

Included in Arriva's document, which outlines its plans for the future of rail travel in the region, the company says it will open a centre of excellence to provide customers with up-to-date information.

The document also focuses on a new point-by-point passenger charter.

Northern Spirit, which is part of Arriva, currently operates 1,600 trains per day linking major towns and cities.

Bob Davies, chief executive of Arriva, said: "Investment in new trains and infrastructure form just part of our package of proposals for a faster, more frequent and more extensive network."

The company's document - called A Bid for the Region - From the Region, hopes to attract support from passengers currently using rail travel by promising to cut some of the 300 million lost work hours each year due to delays and by helping the environment by reducing fuel emissions.

The franchise bid is due to be submitted next month.