Patronage at Cottingley station has increased significantly in recent years, and this is reflected by the published by the Office of the Rail Regulator. Recorded usage in 2002/03 was 9,467 journeys per year. By 2005/06, this had increased to 73,894 journeys per year, an increase of 781% in four years. Actual growth may be higher, since the ORR data does not accurately take account of the multi-modal 'MetroCard' season tickets issued by WYPTE which are valid for journeys to and from this station. From 2008/9, such MetroCard data are included, but only an estimation is made. Recent growth can also be attributed in part by a significant new housing development adjacent to the railway station, called Churwell New Village. That, combined with growth elsewhere on the line, means that overcrowding in the morning peak for commuters heading towards Leeds is now a serious problem. Efforts to address this have been hampered by the relatively short platforms at the station, which limited the length of trains that can call here. The platforms have since been extended and can now accommodate three car trains easily. Network Rail further extended the platforms in November/December 2018.
Facilities
The station is unmanned and has only basic shelters on each platform. Platform 1 is the ‘down’ platform for trains to Leeds and platform 2 is the ‘up’ platform for trains to Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Brighouse and Manchester. There are ticket machines on both sides and these were recently been brought into use. Automatic announcements, timetable posters and dot matrix display screens provide train running information. Step-free access is available to both platforms; however they are linked by a stepped footbridge.
Services
As of May 2020, Monday to Friday and Saturday there's an hourly service from Cottingley to Leeds and to Huddersfield calling at all intermediate stations. Three early morning services and one evening peak service are operated by Northern with the rest being operated by TransPennine Express. The service pattern is generally XX:21 to Leeds and XX:52 to Huddersfield. The service on a Sunday is similar, but starts later. Most trains operate Manchester Piccadilly-Leeds calling at all stations from Stalybridge onwards.
