Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a new national lockdown in England, Hull Trains will temporarily suspend all of its services from Saturday 9 January.
The train operator has now suspended services three times during the COVID-19 pandemic, having previously done so in March and November 2020.
Hull Trains managing director Louise Cheeseman said: “We are again in a position where it is the right decision for the business to temporarily suspend all our direct rail services to London.
“The travel restrictions impact our income from ticket sales significantly, so hibernating allows us to protect the business for longer so we can return as a sustainable rail operator once restrictions ease.
“It’s another challenge we all face, but I am confident that the decision to temporarily suspend services is the right one to help safeguard the future of the business. The majority of our staff will be furloughed until we are back up and running. At this time, we don’t have a planned return date, but we will be reviewing the situation as it evolves.
“Our direct rail route to London plays a vital role in supporting the local economy in Hull and East Riding and we shall continue to play a key part in the region’s growth in the future. I look forward to returning when restrictions are relaxed and more people start to travel again.”
As an open-access operator, ticket sales are central to Hull Trains’ income stream, since it is not entitled to additional financial support from the government.
Be the first to comment