Open Access operator Grand Central is preparing to reintroduce rail services between West Riding and North East to London.
The services will restart from the 26th of July, with a “measured” return to service, with the following service pattern
- Two Return services a day between Bradford Interchange and King’s Cross, calling at Bradford Interchange, Low Moor, Halifax, Brighouse, Mirfield, Wakefield Kirkgate, Pontefract Monkhill, Doncaster and London King’s Cross
- Three return services a day between Sunderland and King’s Cross calling at Sunderland, Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe, Northallerton, Thirsk, York and London King’s Cross.
More services will be added as demand increases.
Ticketing for these train services are open at https://www.grandcentralrail.com/
Grand Central is different from most of the other rail companies – as they are an open-access operator. This means they do not receive Government funding and relies on tickets sales.
Other companies in this position include Hull Trains. Heathrow Express and Eurostar.
Safety onboard
Passenger and staff safety measures will include increased cleaning during the journey and overnight at depots, and protective equipment for staff.
Customers will be able to change their date of travel without penalty if their plans change, and Grand Central offers a range of competitively priced refundable tickets.
In Quotes
Managing Director, Richard McClean said
“In late March it became obvious to us we couldn’t operate a viable rail service under the Government’s lockdown rules. Social distancing and a ban on non-essential travel meant we had no option but to put our trains to bed and place the majority of our staff on furlough.
“Since that decision we have worked hard to plan every aspect of a safe, sustainable return and we can now see that the lockdown has eased to such a degree for us to begin a measured return to service from late July.”
“To be able to once again invite passengers to make seat reservations and buy tickets makes our return very real,” he said. “The values of the Grand Central you enjoyed before the lockdown, such as getting the basics right and caring for our customers and colleagues, are still very much here and we will uphold those values now while ensuring the absolute safety of our passengers and staff.
I want to thank those passengers for their loyalty and I invite them to put their faith in Grand Central again as we return to their towns and cities”.
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