2000-11-17 October SPAD figures show successive 15-month decline (Railway Safety)

2000-10-20 September SPAD figures show successive decline (Railway Safety)

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date 6 December 2001
source ATOC
type Press release

National rail operators today advised passengers who intend to travel by train over the Christmas and New Year period 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 48 49 50) or checking the internet site www.nationalrail.co.uk which provides links to all train operating companies and retailing websites.

2. To ensure a comfortable journey for longer distance travellers, reservations are recommended between 20th December and 5th January 2002.

3. Check if your route will be affected by engineering work either by calling National Rail Enquiries, checking the Today's Train Running Information page on the National Rail website - www.nationalrail.co.uk, or by calling the local train operator.

ATOC Director General, George Muir said: "The Christmas and New Year period is traditionally a busy time for the railways, especially the long distance operators. It is also a period when major infrastructure works are carried out by Railtrack. For this reason I advise passengers to make use of the information systems available to them to ensure a comfortable journey
and avoid any unnecessary inconvenience."

Ends

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

Note to Editors - National Rail operators will issue media releases with more detailed summaries of their services. A list of engineering work sites over Christmas and the New Year will be available from Railtrack next week (w/c 10 December).
The following is a general summary of train services over the Christmas and New Year period.

* Saturday, 22 December and Sunday, 23 December.
Normal services will run as scheduled.
* Monday, 24 December.
An amended weekday service will run for many operators.
* Tuesday, 25 December
Heathrow Express will operate between Paddington station and Heathrow Airport. Gatwick Express will operate a bus service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport. No other train services will run.
* Wednesday, 26 December
Stansted Express and Heathrow Express operate services. Gatwick Express will operate a bus between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport. Thameslink, Connex South Eastern, South Central, c2c and ScotRail run services on some key routes. No other train services will run.
* Thursday, 27 to Monday, 31 December
All train companies will run services during this period. Passengers should check with NRES or their local operator on the type of service. (i.e. normal, Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday timetable). On New Year's Eve, some operators in south-east England will schedule extra services to carry people in and out of London. Some operators outside the capital may wind
down services earlier than scheduled.
* Tuesday, 1 January
No service for ScotRail and Valley Lines. All other train companies will run either a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday service.
* Wednesday, 2 January onwards
Normal operating timetables are resumed except for ScotRail which will be operating a reduced service (return to a normal timetable on 3 Jan).

ScotRail Anglo-Scottish Sleepers WILL NOT RUN on 24th, 25th, 26th, and 31st December and 1st January 2002.

National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES)
Anyone intending to travel is advised to check their arrangements with 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. Operators that accept bookings include Anglia Railways, Arriva Trains Northern, Hull Trains, GNER, First Great Western, First North Western, Midland Mainline, ScotRail, South West Trains, Virgin Trains, Wales & Borders, and Wessex
Trains.Travel Restrictions SuperSaver tickets will not be valid from Monday, 17 December 2001 to Tuesday, 1 January 2002 inclusive.

Railhub Archive ::: 2001-12-06 ATO-001