Customers should feel safe when choosing to travel with TransPennine Express (TPE) this Christmas with enhanced cleaning and extra measures in place as well as additional members of staff on hand to help at key locations.
Those planning on using the train over the festive period, especially while restrictions are lifted between 23 and 27 December, are strongly advised to book ahead online, check before and allow extra time to travel as services are set to be busier than they have been in recent times.
Tickets can be purchased online via our website or using the TPExpress App where people can now pay using Apple Pay or PayPal. E-tickets are also available allowing customers to use their phone instead of a paper ticket.
Unless exempt, face coverings must be worn at all times on the train and at the station and it’s key that people follow the guidance provided to protect others. More information can be found in TPE’s ‘Keeping you safe’ video and at: tpexpress.co.uk/travelling-with-us
The train company will continue to run around 80 per cent of its pre-Covid-19 services following the timetable change taking place on 14 December. Many trains will run with additional carriages to support social distancing; however, trains are likely to be busy, especially those before and after the Christmas bubble period. Timetables can be found at: tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/timetables
Customers will also be able to book a seat reservation (that is compliant with social distancing) when these are reintroduced from 14 December.
Interim Managing Director for TransPennine Express, Liz Collins said: “We are asking those planning on using our trains to see friends and family over Christmas to book as soon as possible, check before travelling, allow extra time and follow the guidelines provided when making their journey.
“Our team is working tremendously hard to ensure that services are safe and secure, but we all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and others, by wearing a face covering and regularly washing hands, or using sanitiser.
“We will also have additional members of staff out and about at key locations over Christmas to provide a little extra support to anyone that needs it.”
As usual, TPE services will finish earlier on Christmas Eve and there won’t be any running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Services will restart again on the 27 December, albeit with a slightly later start.
Anyone booking travel via the TPE website can also take advantage of a new tool allowing them to select a date for future travel and check if there is any engineering work taking place. This can be accessed here: tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times
