CYCLISTS who use TransPennine Express will not be able to turn up with their bike unannounced from May 20.

From Sunday, May 20, customers travelling with TPE who wish to bring bikes on board will need to make a free reservation in advance of their journey.

The change is being made ahead of the arrival of the new Nova fleet, which will start to come into service from Autumn 2018.

These new trains have many more seats for customers, and space for up to four bikes, - a 100 per cent increase, the company says, from the current two, but have less open space, for example in vestibules and what is known as the “ballroom” area next to First Class.

Ensuring that bikes are reserved ahead of travel should mean a smoother, safer and more comfortable journey for all our customers, TPE says.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TPE, said: “In preparation for the arrival of our new Nova fleet this Autumn, we’re asking all our customers to reserve, for free, their bikes before travel which will lead to a smoother, safer and more comfortable journey for everyone.

"We’re making this change following feedback from our customers, adding much needed capacity with the new Nova trains meaning many more seats for customers, but less open space for bikes. We understand the importance of integrated travel, working closely with sustainable transport charities and cycle user groups, and we also offer a cycle to work scheme for our colleagues.

"I’d encourage our customers to make use of the bike racks and storage shelters that we have at all our stations, and please remember that foldable bikes do not need to be reserved, which is another option for customers who need the flexibility."

In the past two years, TPE has invested more than £250,000 into station cycle facilities, adding more than 500 new spaces. New facilities have been installed at Middlesbrough, Northallerton, Thirsk, Selby, Malton, Scarborough, Huddersfield and Dewsbury, with plans currently being worked on for new facilities at Hull and Stalybridge.

For full information on bike racks at TPE stations and the facilities for cyclists at other operator and Network Rail stations, customers should use the following link and search for their station: www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations.

How to book a bike space

Customers can make a reservation using the methods below, and must do so at least 24 hours in advance of travel:

By phone

Call 0345 600 1671 (select Option 3)

Online

When buying tickets through tpexpress.co.uk customers will be given the option to book a space for your bike

At the booking office

Bike reservations can be requested by visiting any one of our station booking offices, or a booking office where TPE services call