Making NHS gowns

Network Rail staff ‘scrub up’ to help NHS workers; Grand Central suspends open access operations. COVER STORY

OPEN access operator Grand Central has suspended its trains between Sunderland, Bradford and London King’s Cross for an initial two months from April 3, as travel restrictions limit passenger numbers.

The RMT union responded by demanding full protection of jobs and wages, while the TSSA called for LNER to take over Grand Central’s operation in addition to Hull Trains, in order to protect services for key workers.

Grand Central said it has held talks with the three main rail unions to “ensure the best possible outcome for staff” during the suspension of services, and that it would make full use of the Government’s furlough scheme, which supports the cost of wages up to 80% of the normal pay or £2,500 (whichever is lower).

Staff will be furloughed for an initial two months, and the Arrivaowned company says it is working with suppliers to reduce costs where possible.

In addition to the suspension of GC’s core operation, the company has paused preparations for its Blackpool-London services and extra trains between Sunderland and King’s Cross until early 2021. A skeleton team will remain in place to ensure GC can resume services once travel restrictions ease.

Passengers with GC tickets can claim a full refund from the outlet where they bought their tickets, or if their journeys are absolutely essential use them to travel on other operators’ services.

The move comes after talks with the Department for Transport failed to secure financial help for the business during COVID-19 restrictions.

GC Managing Director Richard McClean said: “So far we have offered a rail service, under a reduced timetable, in order to keep key workers moving at a time of crisis. This comes with all the costs of running a train service, while bringing no ticket revenue to our business.

“This situation is unsustainable and, following several days of discussion with the Department for Transport, we have no alternative but to suspend our services.”

Driver training has been paused across the rail industry to maintain social distancing, including that of Class 90s for the BlackpoolEuston service. The Class 90s have been placed into warm storage.