Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 27th January 2022
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 27th January 2022
Free bacon rolls from Greggs and a mindfulness app are being offered to train commuters in a bid to lure them back to the railways as work from home restrictions ease.
Complimentary breakfast food, hot drinks and app subscriptions are among the perks in a new rewards scheme launched today by industry body the Rail Delivery Group.
The article in the i newspaper says offers, intended to help passengers make the most of their commute, include a one-month subscription to the Mindfulness App, a two-month audiobook subscription with audiobooks.com and three months’ free on TIDAL HiFi music.
ScotRail’s temporary January timetable is to be extended into February due to the number of staff members who remain off work because of COVID.
An article in The Herald says the decision to extend the timetable will be made by Scotland’s new transport secretary, Jenny Gilruth, who took up her official duties yesterday.
A reduced service was implemented by ScotRail in January to curb last minute cancellations and over 3,000 journeys were cut throughout the month.
The paper says ScotRail confirmed last night that the reduced timetable will extend into February and will be kept under review.
One of Tyne and Wear Metro’s busiest lines is set to close to accommodate a major programme of modernisation work.
The line, between Newcastle and North Tyneside will close for five days next month.
The work, overseen by Nexus, will involve replacing overhead power lines as part of an ongoing £30 million programme of renewals to prepare the network for the new Metro train fleet.
The line closure will mean no Metro services between St James and Tynemouth from 21 to 25 February.
An initiative to help the homeless at railway stations has helped more than 300 people.
Network Rail teamed up with Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, at two of its biggest railway stations: Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street.
Their efforts focused on helping those sleeping rough to find the support they need, thanks to training from Shelter as part of a pilot scheme.
Photo credit: Network Rail
