Merseyrail services on Sunday are being altered

As a result of the national emergency measures announced by the Prime Minister earlier this week and an increasing number of station, depot and onboard staff self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of changes have been made to the timetable for this Sunday (29 March 2020).

Ellesmere Port line

This will be an hourly service operating between 08:00 and 20:00 calling at all stations between Ellesmere Port and Hooton.

Passengers can change at Hooton to continue their onward journeys. 

Chester line

This will be a 30-minute service operating between 08:00 and 20:00 calling at all stations.

New Brighton line

This will be a 45-minute service operating between 08:00 and 20:00 calling at all stations.

West Kirby line

This will be a 45-minute service operating between 08:00 and 20:00 calling at all stations.

Northern line

This will be a regular Sunday service (every 30 minutes).

Full timetables and details can be found here and passengers are advised to use this as the journey planner will not be accurate at this time.

Services from Monday will continue to operate every 30 minutes on all lines until further notice, however there are likely to be further amendments to timetables in the coming days as increasing numbers of staff are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Customers are bring encouraged to check before they travel.

Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said: “The prime minister was quite clear that people should only be travelling where absolutely necessary, and I would encourage people to listen to that instruction.

“Our colleagues, who as key workers are showing extraordinary commitment in response to this crisis, are unfortunately increasingly affected by the pandemic with a rise in the number needing to self-isolate as a result.

“Merseyrail remains committed to providing a service to get our essential key workers to their places of work in support of the country at this difficult time.

“However, we can only do that if we use our resources in a sustainable way, taking into account the number of people we have available.

“We do expect to have to make further changes to our timetables in the coming days and I would strongly advise customers that do absolutely need to travel to check our website or social media feeds before doing so.

“I would like to reiterate the government’s instruction to stay at home wherever possible, so please only travel if you absolutely need to.”

Visit www.merseyrail.org or the Merseyrail Twitter account @merseyrail for more.