Trains cancelled as Covid hits staff – Here’s the latest
As a number of drivers and other staff are forced to isolate because of Covid alerts, train operators are warning of the effect on services this week.
Passengers could well find the train they usually use has been cancelled and are advised to check before travel.
Here is what is happening with the different companies that serve North Yorkshire.
LNER
From today (Monday 20 December) LNER is making some daily train service reductions due to a shortage of train crew as a result of an increase in the number of staff self-isolating due to COVID-19.
They are running the majority of our services over the Christmas period to support our customers.
However, the spread of COVID-19 does mean that there will be some planned reductions, and they apologise in advance for any inconvenience this causes.
LNER says: “These reductions are designed to minimise the impact on as few of our customers as possible and will enable us to provide a more resilient timetable throughout the festive period.”
What this means for you if your train is cancelled:
- You can travel on an alternative LNER train within 24 hours of your original journey. Your original ticket will be accepted, but please remember to make a new seat reservation on your alternative train which can be done on the website up to 5 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Transpennine Express
Services across the TransPennine Express network including to Malton, Manchester, York and Leeds may be subject to delays and short-notice cancellations due to a lack of available staff caused by industrial relations issues.
Please allow additional time for travel and check carefully, up to the last minute, for any changes to train times.
Disruption is expected to continue until at least the end of Friday 31 December.
Alternative travel advice:
If the train you had planned to travel on does not operate, your ticket will be valid on the next available TransPennine Express service.
Northern
Changes to the timetable for local trains to places like Sherburn, Harrogate, Selby and Hull over the Christmas holiday period due to engineering work.
CrossCounty
Crosscountry says: “Our timetable continues to reflect a reduced service, keeping both our customers and colleagues safe is a number one priority” This means that certain destinations will be served only every two hours instead of hourly. (Plymouth, Bournemouth and Glasgow for example).
Grand Central
For services from Northallerton/Thirsk and York to London they say “We strongly recommend all of our passengers make a seat reservation before travelling, especially if you’re travelling in a family or with others.”
Hull Trains
Expect the possibility of short notice cancellations between Howden/Selby and London.