Transport services across the UK are being reduced as many people follow the government’s advice to stop all non-essential travel.

The changes are affecting train, Tube, coach and buses across the UK as travel operators deal with the fall in demand as well as with staff absences due to sickness and self-isolation.

On Tuesday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs companies may have to be nationalised to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

Here are the services affected so far.

Trains

Northern Trains say a dozen routes will face cancellations today because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the routes affected will be Liverpool-Manchester Airport, Leeds/Sheffield-Nottingham and Newcastle-Carlisle.

South Western Railway say that “like most organisations, we’re seeing more staff having to stay at home unwell”, which has led to some cancellations.

Govia Thameslink Railway also say services are being cancelled because of workers having to self-isolate.

The sleeper service from London Paddington to Penzance will be suspended after Friday, according to operator Great Western Railway.

Rail Delivery Group director Robert Nisbet said train companies will operate service to “as many places as possible in line with demand”.

But he said this would have to be balanced with ensuring necessary staffing levels were maintained.

Tube

The London Underground is partially shut down with up to 40 stations that do not interchange with other lines closed “until further notice”.

Trains on the Waterloo and City line have been cancelled entirely, as has the Night Tube, which usually runs overnight on Friday and Saturday.

There are currently no plans to close down the transport network in London, Downing Street says.

Coaches and buses

National Express, the UK’s largest operator of scheduled coach services, says it will reduce its capacity by 80% because of the outbreak.

A typical Sunday service will operate on the company’s bus networks in the West Midlands, Coventry and Dundee.

Buses in London are also operating fewer services because of the outbreak.

Source: Read Full Article