THE train operator TransPennine Express has apologised to passengers and is introducing changes to improve its service on the Malton line, following months of delays and cancellations.

Commuters and other users of the York to Scarborough line have been subjected to late and cancelled services since new timetables - designed to increase services by 20 per cent across the network - were introduced in May.

Ryedale MP Kevin Hollinrake said he had met with the company to convey “the extreme frustration” felt by his constituents.

He said that the train company pledged changes to improve its service.

These include changing the schedules of its drivers to reduce the circumstances where trains need to be terminated prior to arriving in Scarborough; advising passengers prior to their departure from York if a train does need to be terminated at Malton so that they can remain in York if they so wish; working with LNER to provide information for passengers during disruption; and making arrangements to allow eligible season ticket holders to claim compensation in addition to the 'Delay Repay' process.

“TransPennine Express has apologised for the disruption and stressed that it has largely been caused by the unprecedented disruption to its services by other operators, congestion at major stations and the performance of the rail infrastructure across the North,” Mr Hollinrake said.

“However, I have made it clear this is little comfort to my constituents who are regularly inconvenienced.”

A TransPennine Express spokesman said: “Since the start of the new timetable on May 20 we know that many of our customers have had disrupted journeys across the north.

“There have been delays and cancellations to contend with meaning that people have been late for work, late for appointments, missed flights and missed spending quality time with loved ones.

“This is not the service that we want to provide and we would like to say a huge sorry to everyone who has been affected.

“We will continue to work alongside other train operators, Network Rail, Transport for the North and the Department for Transport until we put this right, making sure that our customers receive the service that they rightly deserve.”