East Midlands Railway to introduce reduced timetable this Monday

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Note to media: East Midlands Railway will be offering face to face interviews at Derby railway station at 09.30 on Monday 23rd March.

If you would like to attend, please email the media team (contact details below) in advance.

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East Midlands Railway will introduce a reduced service timetable this coming Monday, 23^rd March.

This is part of the national scheme, agreed between the rail industry and the Government, to reflect reduced demand and ensure vital train services for key workers can continue to run throughout a prolonged coronavirus outbreak.

This timetable will remain in place until further notice and will be kept under constant review. This will ensure it continues to match the demand of passengers who still need to travel as well as the ability of rail staff to deliver the services and rail infrastructure itself.

As a vital artery for Britain, the railway is crucial to ensuring that key workers like nurses, police officers and firefighters can get to work.

East Midlands Railway’s timetable will see a significant reduction in service frequency but will ensure all stations and lines of route remain open as well as protecting morning and evening commuting periods.

Timetables will be available online later today and will show in journey planners over the weekend. Those who will be travelling on Monday should check their journey carefully before setting off.

Will Rogers, Managing Director, East Midlands Railway, said: 

“This is an unprecedented global issue and it is important the railway continues to play its vital role in helping key workers continue to travel safely and reliably.

“Our reduced timetable reflects the significant reduction in demand and reduces the requirements on front line staff but, in partnership with neighbouring operators, does maintain rail services for all of the stations we serve and provides a reliable and carefully planned service. 

“I would also like to recognise the extraordinary hard work and dedication of everyone here at EMR, who alongside many other front line workers, are working around the clock to keep the country moving during these challenging times.”

Robert Nisbet, Director of Nations and Regions at the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said:

“At a time of extraordinary national challenge, the measures rail companies are putting in place with the government will preserve services so that we can continue to get key workers to where they need to be, deliver food to supermarkets and get fuel to power stations.

“This is not a decision we take lightly, however implementing these measures now will mean that we can continue to operate trains over a prolonged period with fewer railway workers, who like so many others are to be commended for putting the needs of the country first, and whose safety remains front of mind.

"We are monitoring demand closely and should it become necessary in the weeks ahead, we will adjust services and timetables to ensure they’re being delivered to best effect where they’re needed most, in accordance with our plan. We would advise anybody who has to travel to check the time of their train on the National Rail Enquiries website before they set out.”

East Midlands Railway, like most other transport operators, has seen a significant reduction in passenger demand since the outbreak of the Coronavirus and despite a reduction in services, there will be more than enough seats for passengers.

Reducing passenger services also frees up space so that vital supplies can go by rail as lorry drivers become unable to work – on average, a freight train carries the same as 76 lorries. 

To find out more about the reduced timetable, visit https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/reduced-timetable

Downloadable timetables are expected to be available on the EMR website later today and online journey planners will reflect the reduced timetable from Sunday. 

In the meantime, the following is a brief summary of the changes planned: 

EMR Intercity

1 Train Per Hour to and from Sheffield, calling at:

- Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester & London St Pancras International

1 Train Per Hour to and from Nottingham, calling at:

- Nottingham, Beeston, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton Airport Parkway & London St Pancras International

1 Hourly shuttle service between Corby and Kettering to connect with Midland Main Line services.

Note: Calling patterns may differ slightly during AM and PM peak periods.

EMR Regional 

There will be a general reduction in frequency across EMR Regional services.

Liverpool-Norwich will only operate between Sheffield and Norwich.

Passengers travelling between Sheffield and Liverpool can travel on neighbouring train operators.

Services between Derby and Crewe, Nottingham and Skegness, on the Robin Hood Line and east of Nottingham will start slightly later and finish slightly earlier than normal. However, typical morning and evening peak periods will be protected.

These lines are operated by legacy signalling and the slightly shorter working day is to give the best possible chance for our partners at Network Rail to continue to operate the signalling systems in the event staff are affected.