(29 Sep 2016, 9:47 am)Andreos1 Contract extended for additional 3 years.
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/arriva-directly-awarded-new-cross-country-contract.html#.V-zexfZOPzc.twitter

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/29/arriva-retains-cross-country-rail-contract-department-for-transport?CMP=twt_gu

(03 Oct 2016, 8:33 pm)8222 I want to know what the new stock will be.

(03 Oct 2016, 8:50 pm)Kuyoyo There is no 'new' stock - this is just a contract extension.

All that is happening is 221144 is to be reformed with two of the 5 car sets reduced to 4 car

• 35 per cent increase in seating capacity in critical evening peak on principal routes
  
  
• at-seat catering on all routes for all passengers and not just First Class
  
  
• radical improvements in ticketing and reservation booking, including home printing of tickets and tickets by mobile phone, with discounted tickets available much closer to the start of travel
  
  
• investment in improved rolling stock, with all other trains refurbished to the standard of the popular Voyagers
  
  
• the reintroduction of HSTs to provide 550-seat trains on busy routes
  
  
• Wi-Fi available to all Voyager and HST passengers, free in First Class
  
  

(04 Oct 2016, 3:51 pm)8222 https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2016/09/29-crosscountry-franchise-extension-confirmed.html

"The DfT has also referred to a '£20 million Government investment in more modern trains', but no details have yet been revealed."

Furthermore:

https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/press/new-beginning-for-crosscountry-train-travel

• 35 per cent increase in seating capacity in critical evening peak on principal routes
  
  
• at-seat catering on all routes for all passengers and not just First Class
  
  
• radical improvements in ticketing and reservation booking, including home printing of tickets and tickets by mobile phone, with discounted tickets available much closer to the start of travel
  
  
• investment in improved rolling stock, with all other trains refurbished to the standard of the popular Voyagers
  
  
• the reintroduction of HSTs to provide 550-seat trains on busy routes
  
  
• Wi-Fi available to all Voyager and HST passengers, free in First Class
  
  

• £20m of government funding to modernise CrossCountry's HST fleet, with the fitting of retention toilets and accessibility improvements including powered doors;
  
  

(05 Dec 2016, 2:45 pm)Andreos1 Interesting consultation regarding the utilisation of stock.

Hopefully it doesnt have a negative effect elsewhere on the network.

https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/future-timetable-consultation

(05 Dec 2016, 8:22 pm)8222 Interesting it mentions Leeds-Sheffield when the Leeds-York section has always been more of a nightmare in my opinion from when I've used them between Derby and Newcastle.

(05 Dec 2016, 8:47 pm)Andreos1 I try and stay away from the via Wakefield routes if I can help it, but the Sheffield - Donny section is always bad.
The Sheffield - Leeds section was picked up in the reports regarding DB/Arriva monopolies. Am I being too cynical?

(05 Dec 2016, 9:03 pm)South Tyne Lad Not really much Arriva presence between Wakefield and Sheffield mind, Though I see what you mean between Wakefield and Leeds, Bar VTEC and some EMT trips nearly all services on Bus or Train is ran by them.

(29 May 2017, 9:11 am)8222 Hello all,

When I've been commuting to London, I've noticed there's been a few XC mark 3 coaches in the yard at Doncaster. Are they the original ones XC got a few years back or have they acquired more coaching stock?

(06 Jun 2018, 8:49 am)Andreos1 Does anyone know the diversionary route? https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/travel-updates-information/derby-resignalling

(06 Jun 2018, 8:49 am)Andreos1 Does anyone know the diversionary route? https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/travel-updates-information/derby-resignalling

(17 Jul 2018, 12:16 pm)James101 Has anyone seen a timetable for the Derby-Nottingham buses? 

The only timetable provided asks users to refer to as separate booklet for road transport which does't seem to be available anywhere?

https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/2571/derby-v6-web-pdf.pdf

(19 Jul 2018, 9:53 pm)James101 Found this out if anybody's interested in catching what will be quite an intensive operation.

Looks like 4 core routes throughout August:

Derby - Burton Operating every 15 minutes from front entrance of Derby Station. Scheduled to take 40 mins each way. 

Derby - Chesterfield Operating every 15 minutes from rear entrance of Derby Station. Scheduled to take 50 mins each way. 

Derby - Nottingham Operation every 15 mins from rear entrance of Derby Station. Scheduled to take 30 mins each way.  

Derby - Uttoxeter Hourly from front entrance of Derby Station. Scheduled to take around 45 mins each way.

There's also an hourly Derby-Long Eaton shuttle.