Merseyrail passengers are being warned about disruption to timetables as the operator prepares for the first of the long-awaited new trains to arrive on the network.
From Monday 14 November there will be adjustments to the timetable and a reduction in the frequency of trains. The changes will allow for an increase in test runs of the long-awaited new Class 777 trains, as part of preparations for the phased introduction into passenger service.
The changes will see the frequency of weekday services reduced on the Kirkby line from four trains per hour to three between 7am and 7pm from Monday November 14. A normal service will operate before 7am and after 7pm on the affected days. Saturday and Sunday services remain unchanged and will run as normal.
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Zoe Hands, Chief Operating Officer at Merseyrail said: “We are continuing with test runs on the network as part of preparations for the introduction of the new trains.
“We would like to apologise to our passengers for the disruption that is being caused and thank them for their patience while this essential testing takes place.”#
The changes mark another moment in the long-awaited journey of the new trains. A deal was first signed for the new fleet back in 2016 but the operation has been hit by a number of delays - including issues related to an industrial dispute with the RMT union and the pandemic.
It is anticipated that the first of the new Class 777 trains will start running on the network before the end of the year.
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