Rail bosses have issued a warning to customers planning to travel over the weekend with dozens of services set to change.
TransPennine Express have told travellers to check timetables ahead of journeys this weekend, as the rail service introduce bi-annual timetable changes. It comes after the service has come under fire for cancelling hundreds of services and failing to declare them due to a loophole.
They are warning that travel times may differ from usual on routes including Manchester services to Liverpool Lime Street. The changes will see the reintroduction of services between Manchester and Scotland via the West Coast Mainline and the extension of Cleethorpes – Manchester services to Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington and Liverpool South Parkway.
READ MORE: Dozens more train services axed by TransPennine Express amid row over late night cancellations
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TransPennine Express, said: “Our new timetables are designed to give our customers improved connectivity across the North and into Scotland.
“The changes mean we have had to make some adjustments to existing services and we need all customers to make themselves familiar with the timetables and to check carefully before travelling.”
Dozens of cancellations were announced yesterday but a 'loophole' means such changes do not have to be reported in official performance figures, because they were announced before 10pm on the previous day.
Bosses say timetables will also be impacted by engineering work taking place later in the month. Customers planning to travel by train during the festive period are being asked to 'take extra care' over travel arrangements.
Kathryn added: “We’ve worked closely with Network Rail and other train operators to ensure we can keep as many customers moving as possible during the works. We know many people rely on our services to see friends and family at this time of year, however there will be disruption to many of our usual services.
“I urge anyone planning on using our services between 27 December and 2 January to check journeys very carefully ahead of time, and to allow plenty of extra time if travelling.”
For full details of TPE’s new timetables and the potential impact of engineering work, please visit the company's website.
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