Metro and its partners Yorkshire Forward and Northern Rail picked up the Partnership Award at the National Transport Awards Ceremony in London on Tuesday 17 July, for their work to introduce six additional train units for West Yorkshire services.

In December, passengers on the MetroTrain network and beyond began benefiting from almost 1,700 additional seats on peak-time trains services into and out of Leeds thanks to the £20m partnership between Metro, Yorkshire Forward and train operator Northern. The additional trains have provided extra capacity on busy peak-time services from York and Harrogate via Horsforth and from Halifax and Bradford on the Caldervale Line. Services in to and out of Leeds from Huddersfield, Knottingley, Selby and Sheffield have also benefited.

Surveys carried out just weeks after the introduction of the extra carriages showed that 96% of passengers thought the trains are now less crowded. "The service has been a lot better since the extra carriages were put on", said one passenger.

"I am delighted that Metro and its partners Yorkshire Forward and Northern Rail have received this award for a project which has brought significant benefits to rail passengers in West Yorkshire," said Metro Chairman, Councillor Ryk Downes.

"It shows what organisations such as ours can achieve by thinking innovatively and working closely to achieve a common aim."

Yorkshire Forward Chief Executive Tom Riordan echoed Councillor Downes sentiment, adding; "Our collective ambitions for success in Yorkshire and Humber can only be achieved if we work in partnership - so I am delighted that this initiative has been recognised.

"I also hope this award reinforces the message to Government that Yorkshire and Humber deserves a transport infrastructure that supports the pace of its economic growth.

"This award shows that real partnerships are about achieving the highest common factor, rather than the lowest common denominator."

Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, Northern Rail commented: "This is fantastic recognition for a partnership approach that delivered real benefits for our passengers."