LNER reinstates Hull service

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is running a daily return service from Tuesday between Hull and London King’s Cross, following the suspension of Hull Trains services.

LNER’s Hull service had been temporarily removed in its reduced timetable during the Coronavirus pandemic, and it has now been reinstated to provide connectivity between Hull, Selby, Brough and London King’s Cross for key workers and those for whom travel is essential.

LNER is also introducing an additional morning service between Doncaster and Hull.

LNER’s priority is to provide immediate assistance for key workers relying on train travel between Hull, Selby, Brough and London at this crucial time.

The following services will be operated by LNER’s bi-mode Azuma trains:

• 05.47 Doncaster to Hull
• 06.58 Hull to London King’s Cross
• 17.18 LondonKing’s Cross to Hull
• 20.29 Hull to Doncaster

LNER will accept tickets from customers with Hull Trains tickets as mutual ticket acceptance is already in place as part of the temporary reduced timetable.

Hull Trains announced on Sunday it would be suspending trains from Monday as a result of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

The company said that despite running a revised timetable,  numbers of people travelling have dropped significantly since national guidance was issued for people to stay at home and stop all non-essential travel.

Revenues from ticket sales are vital for Hull Trains and its business model means it must survive purely as a commercial operation.

In a statement the company said that as one of three open access operators in the country, it has not been offered additional financial support from the government, which franchised rail operators have.

Steve Montgomery, managing director of the rail division for FirstGroup plc said: “We are very sorry to all Hull Trains passengers that we will be suspending services.

“In line with the entire rail industry, passenger volumes at Hull Trains have reduced substantially since mid-March and even with the steps we have taken to reduce the timetable we’re operating, current passenger numbers make it impossible to maintain the ongoing level of losses we have seen.

“We have sought agreement to be included in the government emergency measures but, as an open access rail operator, this has not been afforded to us. Hull Trains brings much needed connectivity to the local area providing a direct, frequent link to London that supports the local economy.

“Our commitment to Hull Trains and the entire East Yorkshire and Humber community is as strong as ever, as evidenced by our recent introduction of a £60m fleet of new trains and we look forward to re-starting the service as soon as we can.”

Photo credit: LNER

Download article