ATOC

National Rail operators issue travel tips for Christmas and the New Year
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date 15 December 2000
source ATOC
type Press release

National Rail operators today advised passengers who intend to travel by train between Christmas and the New Year to follow three simple steps before doing so.

1. Plan your train journey as soon as possible by checking timetable information. This information is available by calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 484950), or checking the internet sites www.thetrainline.com or www.railtrack.co.uk.

2. For long distance journeys, make a booking if possible. Bookings on GNER for travel between 21 December to 3 January are mandatory. Bookings on Midland Main Line, Virgin Trains, Anglia Railways and First Great Western are strongly recommended.

3. If your route is affected by engineering work, call National Rail Enquiries, check Today's Train Running Information page on the National Rail website - www.nationalrail.co.uk, or call the local operator.

ATOC Director General, George Muir said: "We have issued this advice with the aim of minimising inconvenience to passengers over this period. As part of the Rail Recovery Plan, Railtrack's engineering work will continue throughout this period and the benefits will be felt in the New Year with 85% of services expected to be back to normal by the end of January."

ENDS

For more information call the ATOC Press Office on 020 7904 3010

Note to editors

Note to Editors - National Rail operators all have media releases with more detailed summaries of their serivices. A list of engineering work sites over Xmas will soon be available from Railtrack. The following is a general summary of train services over the Christmas and New Year period

* Friday, 22 December Services will run as scheduled under the published Christmas and New Year Timetables.

* Saturday, 23 December Services will run as scheduled under the published Christmas and New Year Timetables.

* Sunday, 24 December Services will run as scheduled under the published Christmas and New Year Timetables with many operators winding down services earlier than scheduled in the evening.

* Monday, 25 December Except for Heathrow Express, no train services will run.

* Tuesday, 26 December Train services which will operate are: Gatwick Express, Stanstead Express, Heathrow Express and Eurostar. The following train companies will run services on some key routes: Thameslink, Connex South Eastern and South Central, c2c and ScotRail. No other train services will run.

* Wednesday, 27 to Sunday, 31 December Services will run as scheduled under the published Christmas and New Year Timetables. On New Year's Eve, some operators will schedule extra services to carry people in and out of London

* Monday, 1 January No service for ScotRail and Valley Lines. All other train companies will run either a Sunday or Bank Holiday service

* Tuesday, 2 December onwards Services will run as scheduled under the published Christmas and New Year Timetables.

National Rail Enquiries Service
Anyone intending to travel is advised to check their arrangements with the National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES) on 08457 48 49 50. NRES will be able to provide callers with details of timetable and fare information. NB: NRES will be closed from midnight 24 December to midnight 25 December.

Reservations
Reservations will be available on most long distance trains and travellers are urged to reserve a seat to ensure a comfortable journey.

Travel Restrictions
SuperSaver tickets will not be available or valid between 18 December - 31 December.

Railhub Archive ::: 2000-12-15 ATO-001