UK train operator Avanti West Coast is reducing its schedule for four weeks due to industrial action, as well as temporarily suspending ticket sales while it prepares a special timetable.
Avanti, which operates services from London’s Euston station to Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, said it would cut back its timetable between 14 August and 11 September.
The UK is facing another two days of national rail strikes by the RMT union later this month on 18 and 20 August. Avanti said it was also being affected by “unofficial strike action” by drivers who are members of the Aslef union.
Avanti explained its move was “due to the current industrial relations climate which has resulted in severe staff shortages in some grades through increased sickness levels”.
“The reduced timetable is being introduced to ensure a reliable service is delivered so our customers can travel with greater certainty,” added the company in a statement.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and we are sorry for the enormous frustration and inconvenience this will cause.”
The operator also revealed it had suspended ticket sales and closed reservations for travel from 14 August to 11 September while its special timetable for this period is finalised.
“This is to minimise the number of people disrupted,” added Avanti. “We expect the first week’s tickets to be back on sale towards the end of this week, then the following weeks on a rolling, weekly basis.”
Avanti plans to run four trains an hour from London Euston, including one service to each of Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. It will also operate trains to Edinburgh, via the West Midlands, every two hours, as well as a Euston-Chester train once per day and a shuttle service between Crewe and Holyhead.
Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, said Avanti’s reduced timetable would “create significant hurt” for business travellers.
“It will drive people into cars and onto planes as they seek alternative arrangements, setting back our country’s net zero ambitions at a critical juncture,” said Wratten.
“We urge the unions to work with the rail companies to keep the disruptions to a minimum to get this country moving again.”