Apology for cancelled services

Rail firm Grand Central has apologised to passengers after a number of services were cancelled including due to a lack of drivers.

A number of services between Sunderland and London Kings Cross, which stops at Hartlepool, have been cancelledrecentlycausingdisruptiontohundredsofpassengers’ journeys.

Many passengers only learned of the cancellations after arriving at stations.

A shortage of drivers has been given as a reason for some of the cancellations with passengers having to travel on overcrowdedtrainsrunbyother services.

On Friday, December 6, the 08.42am from Sunderland to London Kings Cross was cancelled.

Passengers travelling from Hartlepool had to change at Thornaby and York to reach their destinations.

And on Saturday, December 7, the 08.06am London KingsCrosstoSunderlandservice was cancelled.

A shortage of drivers was given as the reason for both cancellations.

Frustrated passengers expressed their anger on social media.

One said on Twitter: “This was the first time I have used your service and it will be the last! I only found out about the cancellation when I arrived at Kings Cross. Have you only got one driver?”

Another tweeted: “GRAND CANCELAGAIN ..... suchanawful service WHY??”

AGrandCentralspokesperson said: “We are truly sorry to customers affected by the recent service cancellations which occurred as a result of operational issues and a varietyofincidentsalongourroute.

“We understand the frustration and inconvenience caused.”