TransPennine Express (TPE) has said that staff shortages due to COVID and industrial relation issues could disrupt services in the days up to Christmas.
Customers across the North and into Scotland should, it said, plan ahead for trips on 23 and 24 December. There may, it said, be possible delays and short-notice cancellations over the coming days.
People should, therefore, leave extra time and check their journey before heading out on tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/current-major-service-disruption or via National Rail Enquiries.
The train company is also reminding people to be kind and show patience and respect towards railway staff and other customers so that everyone can travel with confidence.
Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director for TransPennine Express said: “We are doing all we can to keep people moving on the run up to Christmas Day, however a lack of available staff caused by industrial relations issues as well as sickness due to Covid is causing disruption to some of our services.
“Anyone planning on using TransPennine Express services on 23rd and 24th December is advised to allow additional time for travel and to check carefully – up to the last minute – for any changes to train times.”
Customers are also reminded that a face covering must be worn on-board train services and at stations unless exempt.
As usual, train services will shut down earlier on Christmas Eve, with no trains operating on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Services will then start running again on the 27 December, with a slightly later start compared to normal and on some routes, engineering work will mean changes for some customers.
