Train services cut as demand plummets

Hugely reduced timetables in force from Monday

MASSIVE cuts to the national train timetable will take place from Monday as staff fall ill or self-isolate and passenger numbers plummet, it was announced today.

Cuts are set to be in place “over the longer term” with passengers told only to travel if “absolutely necessary”.

Southeastern, one of the “big three” commuter operators, said “around half the usual number of trains will run”.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are taking decisive action to protect the public which means reducing travel for the time being, while still ensuring keyworker heroes can get to their jobs to keep this nation running.”

He said the changes would help maintain a service “for passengers in crucial roles, including essential workers in our emergency services and NHS, alongside people who need to attend medical appointments or care for loved ones.”

It came as passengers stayed away from the railways in droves, with numbers down 70 per cent on some routes.

The train operators are now working to create emergency timetables, with the aim of publishing them on websites on Sunday. The move to drastically reduce the national network follows

⬤ THE Tower of London is the latest visitor attraction to fall victim to coronavirus and is closing tonight. It is among six sites run by Historic Royal Palaces — also Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland — that will shut until May 1. A spokesman said the decision had been taken “with heavy hearts” and added: “We promise we’ll look after the ravens at the Tower in your absence.” Hampton Court’s gardens will stay open. huge cuts to the Tube service, the largest in peace-time, announced yesterday.

By making cuts across the board, train operators plan to keep “core services” running as best as possible. All the main commuter operators today warned of “short notice” cuts to services.

Matthew Golton, interim managing director of Great Western Railway, said: “Our responsibility is to run a service that can be relied on at this time. We are taking sensible measures to make sure we are able to do so.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, the rail watchdog, described the cuts as “inevitable” given the fall in passenger numbers.

“It is crazy to run too much,” he said. “It is far better to run a ‘core’ service more reliably. That is the sensible option and one which we fully support.”

A spokesman for South Western Railway said: “By reducing the number of trains running, we can focus on ensuring a reliable timetable for passengers who still have to travel, especially healthcare professionals, police and fire service workers.”

⬤ The Emirates Air Line — the cable car which runs between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks — will close from 8pm today until further notice.