Operators cut services in response to fewer passengers
A 90% drop in passengers compared with the corresponding period last year, due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, caused ScotRail to introduce a vastly reduced service from February 1.
The operator is running 65% of pre-pandemic service levels while delivering 72% of pre-pandemic seat numbers. It said the changes would keep services running for key workers, while also providing value for money for the taxpayer. It consulted with the NHS to ensure its services met staff requirements.
Driver training has also been suspended, while some staff are shielding and others self-isolating.
ScotRail Operations Director David Simpson said: “Like any business during the pandemic, we need to continue to make sensible financial decisions. Reducing the number of services means a reduction in costs for the taxpayer, while continuing to deliver a safe and reliable rail service.”
LNER and TransPennine Express also introduced a reduced timetable from February 1.
TPE’s Liverpool-Newcastle and Leeds-Manchester (via Huddersfield) went to an hourly service, while a two-hourly service was introduced on York-Scarborough, Hull-Leeds and Redcar Central-York routes.
Two trains per day ran between Newcastle and Edinburgh.
From January 25, Chiltern Railways began running only 51% of its pre-COVID timetable with no planned service uplift date, although use of trains would be monitored.
Off-peak there is one train per hour from Marylebone
Oxford/Birmingham/Aylesbury (via the Metropolitan Line) and Aylesbury (via High Wycombe). CR is also running Leamington Spa-Birmingham New Street and Leamington Spa-Stratford-uponAvon shuttles for key workers.
Greater Anglia also introduced a reduced timetable (72% of its pre-COVID timetable) from January 25. The main changes include a reduction in peak-time services, 1tph Norwich-London Liverpool Street, a reduction in SouthendLondon trains, withdrawal of fast Cambridge-London services, and most rural services cut to twohourly frequencies.