THE UK’s busiest long-distance train line has cut back hundreds of its journeys in the run-up to Christmas.
A reduced timetable will also continue between Christmas and the new year due to engineering works, with the scheduled change aiming to “save taxpayers money“.
Train operator Avanti has cut back a number of its daily West Coast line services before and after Christmas following a recent government approval.
Some 22 daily services between London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Crewe, will not run during the Christmas holiday period this year, seeing thousands of seats lost.
Between December 7 and 23, and from January 4 to 7, Avanti will now operate on a “demand-led timetable” basis from Mondays and Thursdays – a system similar to that used in summer where one in seven services were cut.
This will not be applied for services between the capital and Manchester because of the popularity of both Christmas markets.
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Further cut backs will also be introduced between Christmas and new year as a result of engineering works.
An Avanti spokesperson said: “We’d like to encourage customers planning to make journeys during this time to plan ahead, and we thank them for their understanding.”
The train company is considered to be the UK’s worst-performing line, with only 57.4 per cent of services arriving on time in the last 12 months and 5.6 per cent cancelled.
The Department for Transport added: “Passenger numbers are considerably lower during December, with many trains running with large numbers of empty seats.”
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“Avanti’s short-term proposals to amend its winter timetable will save taxpayers money by taking empty trains off the line.
“The changes are demand-responsive, so demand for seats will always be met and weekend service levels are being maintained.”
If the demand for trains ends up being higher, the Government have further said it could increase the number of services to accommodate more passengers.