Call For Urgent Meeting Over Winter Rail Changes

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has called for an urgent meeting with East Midlands Railway after the company confirmed it will be reducing the number of carriages on some services.

It says a ‘small number of services’ will run with fewer carriages than usual during the winter, as it prepares to introduce its fleet of new Aurora trains.

The new bi-mode trains are set to enter service by the end of the year – with a phased roll-out continuing into 2026 – but in the meantime some existing high-speed trains will be withdrawn and transferred to another operator.

EMR has also said seat reservations will be suspended on some services.

Mr O’Brien MP said: “This is simply not good enough. Passengers have already faced delays to new rolling stock, the cancellation of electrification, significant disruption, and high ticket prices. Now we are being told to expect shorter trains and no ability to reserve a seat. This will cause chaos for commuters and families alike.

“EMR must urgently set out exactly how many services will be affected, how many carriages are being withdrawn, and for how long. Yet again, the Midland Main Line seems to be treated differently to other lines.

“I am demanding an urgent meeting with EMR’s management to get clear answers. It is unacceptable to leave passengers in the dark while stripping away capacity and reliability. Local people deserve clarity, not vague reassurances.

“When I have pressed the Department for Transport about this it seems that no-one is being held to account for these delays, no one can explain why they have been allowed to happen, and no lessons are being learned. It is unacceptable.”

Market Harborough Railway Station

An East Midlands Railway spokesperson said: “We remain fully committed to introducing our new Class 810 Aurora fleet on the Intercity route as soon as possible, with the first train entering service in 2025 and a phased roll-out continuing through 2026. Our drivers and crews are already in training to safely begin services once the trains are available.

“To maintain a reliable service during the transition period, over the winter, a small number of EMR trains will run with fewer carriages than usual, and some services will not have seat reservations. This will help us manage the transition from our existing trains to the new Aurora fleet in a controlled way, as three Class 222 trains are returned to the leasing company between September and December 2025, before transferring to Lumo.

“These adjustments are being carefully planned to prioritise key services and minimise disruption for our customers. We are working closely with industry partners to maintain service continuity.

“We thank our customers for their patience and support as we prepare for the arrival of Aurora.”