Easter travel advice for rail passengers from train operators
7th March 2008
ATOC
Up to three million passengers are expected to take the train on Maundy Thursday 20th March, one of the busiest days of the year for rail travel as part of the Easter holiday weekend getaway, according to the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). Friday 21st March will also be busy but other days over Easter are expected to be much quieter.
Train operators advise passengers to plan their journey in advance, particularly on long distance services to all parts of Britain which will be very busy and seat reservations are essential.
Most of the rail network remains open but there are a number of major engineering and track improvement works being carried out by Network Rail including:
1. Plan your train journey by checking timetable information: this information is available by visiting the National Rail web site www.nationalrail.co.uk, which provides links to all train operating companies and retailing websites or by calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 48 49 50).
2. Book as soon as possible: purchase tickets for Easter travel in advance - not on the day of travel - to secure cheaper prices. Easter is a busy period and the cheaper priced tickets will sell out.
3. Make seat reservations: it is strongly recommended that seat reservations are made when purchasing tickets for longer distance journeys. Seat reservations are free.
4. Check for engineering works: Some train operators are running amended Easter weekend timetables. These are being extensively publicised at stations or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/easter to find out whether engineering works affect your journey. Alternatively, contact either National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or your local train operating company for more details who provide detailed travel information at stations and on their website.
As 70% of rail journeys involve travel via London, the city’s terminal stations will be particularly busy, as will main stations in other cities around Britain.
George Muir, Director General of ATOC said: “Like most years we are expecting many passengers to travel on the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Maundy Thursday is one of the busiest days of the year for the railway and we strongly advise people to book ahead for cheaper priced tickets and reserve seats on longer distance services.”
For further information, please contact the ATOC press office on 020 7841 8020.
Notes to Editors:
About ATOC
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.
Train operators advise passengers to plan their journey in advance, particularly on long distance services to all parts of Britain which will be very busy and seat reservations are essential.
Most of the rail network remains open but there are a number of major engineering and track improvement works being carried out by Network Rail including:
- The West Coast Main Line will be closed from Good Friday to Easter Monday between Coventry, Rugby and Northampton and from London Euston on Easter Saturday until Easter Monday. No intercity services will operate from London Euston from Good Friday. Local train services will operate between London Euston and Northampton only on Good Friday. Local services will be replaced by buses at other times.
- The East Coast Main Line from 2pm on Easter Saturday to 2pm on Easter Sunday, when services between London King’s Cross, the North East of England and Scotland will be diverted via Leeds due to work between Doncaster and York.
- The Great Western Main Line services between Didcot Parkway, Swindon and Chippenham will be disrupted from Good Friday to Easter Monday with trains being replaced by a bus service or diverted.
- Services from London Waterloo on the South West Main Line will be subject to alterations and diversions due to major engineering works taking place at Clapham Junction between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Services to East Anglia and the Essex coast from London’s Liverpool Street will also be disrupted between Good Friday and Easter Monday with a bus replacement service operating between Gidea Park, Billericay and Ingatestone. On Easter Sunday and Easter Monday other services to/from Liverpool Street will operate to alternative timetables.
1. Plan your train journey by checking timetable information: this information is available by visiting the National Rail web site www.nationalrail.co.uk, which provides links to all train operating companies and retailing websites or by calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 48 49 50).
2. Book as soon as possible: purchase tickets for Easter travel in advance - not on the day of travel - to secure cheaper prices. Easter is a busy period and the cheaper priced tickets will sell out.
3. Make seat reservations: it is strongly recommended that seat reservations are made when purchasing tickets for longer distance journeys. Seat reservations are free.
4. Check for engineering works: Some train operators are running amended Easter weekend timetables. These are being extensively publicised at stations or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/easter to find out whether engineering works affect your journey. Alternatively, contact either National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or your local train operating company for more details who provide detailed travel information at stations and on their website.
As 70% of rail journeys involve travel via London, the city’s terminal stations will be particularly busy, as will main stations in other cities around Britain.
George Muir, Director General of ATOC said: “Like most years we are expecting many passengers to travel on the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Maundy Thursday is one of the busiest days of the year for the railway and we strongly advise people to book ahead for cheaper priced tickets and reserve seats on longer distance services.”
For further information, please contact the ATOC press office on 020 7841 8020.
Notes to Editors:
About ATOC
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.
