Starting Monday, train operators across the country will start to reduce their services due to falling demands following the panic surrounding COVID-19.
On Thursday morning (March 19), it was announced that up to 40 London tube stations would close due to the pandemic, and it now seems that national rail services are following suit.
Operators will keep vital services running, but plans to reduce the number of journeys will come into play on Monday (March 23), to reflect the drop in passenger demand. These reduced services will also help to protect the welfare of railway staff.
In a statement published online, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, said: “We are taking decisive action to protect the public which means reducing travel for the time being, whilst still ensuring keyworker heroes can get to their jobs to keep this nation running.”
The reduction of services is likely to be gradual and, as well as key routes that will allow people to get to work and medical appointments, the plans will also ensure that key freight services can continue to travel around the country, allowing crucial produce to be shipped wherever it’s needed.
The Department of Transport advise that you keep checking for live updates if you are due to travel on or after March 23, as journeys are subject to change.
More to follow.