UK train operator TransPennine Express is to cut its services between north west England and Scotland by nearly 25 per cent from next week.
TransPennine becomes the second major UK train company to substantially reduce its timetable due to staffing issues, following a similar move by Avanti West Coast last month. Both operators are part of FirstGroup’s First Rail subsidiary.
The revised timetable from TransPennine will be introduced from Monday (12 September) and will reduce daily services from 40 to 31 trains on the Anglo-Scottish route.
Services to be withdrawn include five daily trains between Manchester airport and Glasgow Central station, as well as two services between Manchester airport and Lancaster, and one train from Edinburgh to Manchester airport.
TransPennine said the reduced timetable was being introduced due to “sustained high levels of sickness and a training backlog as a direct result of Covid”. The operator added that the changes were designed to “provide a more stable and reliable service”.
Jerry Farquharson, service planning and performance director at TransPennine Express, said: “Our customers want reliable and punctual train services, and we are sorry that we have not been able to provide that due to the ongoing issues.
“In normal circumstances, we have enough people to fully operate our scheduled timetable, however the combination of factors has put unprecedented pressure on our ability to operate a consistent service.
“This temporary amended timetable for our services between the north west of England and Scotland will help us provide more stability and certainty for customers travelling on this route.”