A TRAIN company is giving away 10,000 return tickets for travel across the North on its new fleet.
The free rail travel bonanza from TransPennine Express marks the completion of a £250m investment in a fleet of 51 new 100mph trains, which provide most of the firm's 275 daily services.
Vernon Barker, managing director of TransPennine Express, said: "We are offering thousands of people the chance to travel free aboard some of the newest trains in the country.
"People will see for themselves the real improvements in quality that these new trains are bringing to the North of England."
Since starting its franchise in February, 2004, TransPennine Express has been steadily increasing passenger numbers.
It has also been persuading motorists to take the train in preference to the car, particularly for longer cross-Pennine journeys.
The company has seen annual passenger numbers grow from 13.5m to an impressive 18.5m in just three years.
Mr Barker said: "Our aim is to encourage anyone who automatically thinks about driving to consider the alternative transport.
"We want them to leave their car keys behind and enjoy a free journey by train.
"We are confident they will be impressed and more likely to think about taking the train for future journeys."
The free tickets must be booked in advance and are only valid for travel between February 19 and March 23 on the trains shown on the tickets.
Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For details log on to www.traintickets forfree.com
