Train operator urges people 'not to travel' on Christmas Eve

A train operator is urging passengers 'not to travel' on trains on Christmas Eve because of 'limited train crew availability'.

Northern, which was brought under Government control in 2020 when previous operators Arriva Rail North stripped from the franchise, says services will finish at about 4pm and that there will be no services at all on others.

The firm has apologised and is urging people to travel today instead.

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Northern says customers are advised not to travel on the following routes:

Craig Harrop, regional director at Northern, said: “Unfortunately, customers travelling on Christmas Eve should expect disruption and we are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause. This is due to limited train crew availability in some areas. We strongly advise customers not to travel in the North West on these routes.

“Ticket restrictions have been lifted, on Northern services, for customers to use tickets dated 24 Dec on the 22 and 23 December.”

There are no Northern train services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, while passengers are being warned to expect further disruption on December 27.

It comes as the Department for Transport recently announced that regulated fares in England will increase by up to 4.9 per cent on March 3 next year.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), said: “The Government is presiding over the managed decline of the railways with huge cuts to safety-critical infrastructure spending on one hand whilst allowing privatised train operators to pay out huge