Dear Mr
RE: Bolton – Manchester Rail Services
Thank you for contacting Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) regarding rail
services between Bolton and Manchester following the coronavirus pandemic. I am
sorry to hear of the issues you have recently experienced.
As you may be aware, unfortunately Northern’s ability to run a more frequent
service pattern has been impacted by driver and conductor availability, which
has been challenging in the face of high sickness and self-isolation rates
amongst a number of their staff.
With the above factors in mind, Northern were previously running
approximately 65-70% of its services prior to Monday 06 July 2020, however,
from this date, service frequency increased by around 10%, with a focus on peak
time trains on the busiest routes.
TfGM recognise that the timetable for evening services between Bolton and
Manchester is far from ideal and I would like to assure you that we are
continuing to monitor all Northern services extremely closely, ensuring that
issues such as this are brought to the attention of Northern immediately.
In the meantime, employers are being asked to be flexible in accommodating
workers who are reliant on public transport. We are currently engaging with
employers and business groups across GM to see how we can work together to
help ensure people can make journeys if they have to, in a way that is as safe as
possible. This includes encouraging people to travel outside peak hours
Transport for Greater Manchester is an executive body of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Public transport will be critical to GM’s recovery from coronavirus and we will
continue to monitor demand to ensure that critical services are maintained for
those people who rely on public transport to make essential journeys.
I trust the above information proves useful and once again, thank you for your
feedback. If there is anything further I can help you with then please do not hesitate
to contact me at
[email protected].
Yours sincerely
Charlotte Warren
Customer Casework Officer