Merseyrail services between Southport and Liverpool for Boxing Day have now been cancelled, due to strike action.
Other services between Christmas Eve and 27th December 2022 are also affected, with Christmas Eve services ending earlier than originally planned.
The changes are due to industrial action by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union.
The train operator had planned to run a 30-minute service across the network on 26th December, but this is no longer possible following the industrial action announced by the RMT.
This also means that the last trains on Christmas Eve will now finish earlier than originally planned. Final services will run at approximately 4.30pm on 24 December.
These changes to the planned service, will remain in place even if the industrial action is called off, as railway rostering arrangements mean that it will be impossible to reinstate services at short notice.
As is normally the case during industrial action, there will be no rail replacement buses in operation.
Those needing to travel after 4.30pm on the 24 December or at any point on 26 December are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.
As previously announced, there will be no train services on Christmas Day.
There will be a normal weekday service on 27 December, with trains starting when the industrial action ends, at approximately 7.30am. A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations prior to 7.30am.
As is usually the case on New Year’s Eve, services will finish at approximately 8pm and on New Year’s Day a 30-minute Sunday service will run.
Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of station staff.
Further industrial action is planned for 3 and 4 January, and 6 and 7 January. Details on which services Merseyrail will be providing on these dates will be published as soon as they are available.
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