The occasion was celebrated by a banner-breaking event at Leeds, as the train operating the first extra service rolled in to the station to the sounds of Yorkshire’s Black Dyke Brass Band.

Passengers on the London-Leeds route now benefit from a record total of 65 daily services, a 75% increase on the 37 services a day when GNER started in 1996.

The new services create a half-hourly, turn-up-and-go frequency every weekday. In addition, some or all of the new services will call at Wakefield (12 extra), Doncaster (9), Newark North Gate (11), Grantham (7), Peterborough (6) and Stevenage (1) stations, providing new journey opportunities for passengers.

After a six-year campaign, GNER secured approval to run the extra services in January this year. Since then it has leased two extra trains and created 65 new jobs to make it happen.

Jonathan Metcalfe, chief executive of GNER, said: “Today marks an important step-change in rail services between these two great cities and across the southern part of the East Coast Main Line. Passengers will have greater choice and convenience – and the new services and extra seats will help to boost regional prosperity and enable us to meet extra demand.”

Speaking at the launch event, Cllr Mark Harris, co-leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The significant increase in GNER services provides more choice for long-distance business and leisure travellers, as well as for commuters within Yorkshire. Transport improvements like this are a key priority in developing the regional economy. I am delighted that new jobs have been created in Yorkshire to deliver this increase in services.”

On behalf of the business community, Penny Hemming, regional director of CBI Yorkshire and Humberside, added: “Today’s launch is great news because the quality, frequency and speed of our rail links to other regions and cities, particularly London, are crucial to the success of Yorkshire’s growing economy.”

GNER now runs a record 136 weekday services between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland, compared to 100 when it started in 1996. The company has attracted 44% more passengers and operates the most reliable long-distance train fleet in Britain. Having rebuilt its electric Mallard fleet, GNER is now refurbishing its diesel trains and fitting them with new, more reliable and fuel-efficient engines. All of its trains are fitted with WiFi.