A four-fold increase in Leeds - Nottingham train services was announced by the Department for Transport on 23 November 2006
.
Around £2m per year has been pledged by DfT to substantially increase the number of train services between Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield. Currently Midland Mainline runs seven trains daily between Sheffield and Nottingham, two of which extend to Leeds.

From December 2008 the cities will receive 28 daily services. Passengers will receive a more regular service throughout the day, with extra trains operating at morning and evening peak times.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "This is good news for passengers in Leeds and Nottingham who will benefit from a four-fold increase in services. It will mean more capacity at busy times, more seats for passengers and will develop transport links between these important cities."

The services will start with the new December 2008 timetable which will be finalised by spring 2008 and will be operated by Northern Rail. It is expected that all trains will call on an hourly basis at Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Chesterfield and Alfreton, and many will also call at Dronfield and Langley Mill. Dronfield station will receive a substantially better service than today. This is in addition to the existing semi-fast service between Leeds and Sheffield via Barnsley.

Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, Northern Rail said: "This is an excellent opportunity to provide additional services for customers between the major centres of the East Midlands and Yorkshire, building on the early success and significant growth Northern Rail has had in the first two years of our franchise."