A call for long term support for Britain’s open access rail operators has been made after services were once again suspended for lockdown.
Hull Trains and Grand Central have confirmed they will not be running during the second nationwide attempt to quell the spread of coronavirus.
Unlike franchise operators, they were left out in the cold when it came to the first lockdown, with rail union RMT describing them as the “poor relation in terms of support for the rail sector”.
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An Early Day Motion has attracted 27 signatures in the House of Commons, while a .
RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “”RMT is calling for more government support for these essential services between Humberside, West Yorkshire, the north east of England and London consistent with statements about levelling up the country.
“We are talking about the long term future of important transport links to the north backed by the 5,800 people who have signed an RMT petition calling for government support for the services provided by open access operators.
“RMT is building political support behind the House of Commons early day motion which has been signed by members of all parties, including the Tories, and we will do everything in our power to secure the futures of the staff working on Hull Trains and Grand Central.”
The majority of the 130 staff at Hull Trains were furloughed as the operating model relies purely on ticket sales, with pleas made then falling on deaf ears, despite the efforts of local MPs and the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce. It was chief executive Dr Ian Kelly who launched the petition back in March.
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Services were reintroduced in August, with a 50 per cent capacity.
Managing director Louise Cheeseman warned the First Group-owned entity was “not out of the woods” then.
From Thursday no services will run between Hull and King’s Cross.
In a statement, the company said: “We are sorry to announce that Hull Trains is temporarily suspending all services as a result of the new nationwide lockdown from 00.01 on Thursday, November 5, until further notice.
“Thank you to everyone who has travelled with us since August. Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing you on our services again in the future. We plan to return to service as soon as we can."
For those with bookings for travel in the lockdown period - due to lift on December 2 - information on refunds will be issued shortly.
Hull Trains has been contacted, but prior on Twitter, Mrs Cheeseman added: "Thank you to everyone that has supported the relaunch of Hull Trains. Your kind works have been overwhelming. I'm so sad for everyone that’s worked so hard to get us back up and running, to announce our services are being suspended again. Be assured we will be back!"
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York-based Grand Central operates from Sunderland and Bradford to King’s Cross, and is owned by Arriva 海角视频.
It has already withdrawn plans for a Blackpool to London service after Covid-19 rendered plans “unfeasible”. It had, however, returned to pre-pandemic service levels between West Yorkshire and the capital, only reducing last week when South Yorkshire was placed in Tier Three.