IF you are looking to travel over the Christmas period, services are very limited.

Here is the latest information if you are looking to use Merseyrail, Arriva or Stagecoach between Christmas and New Year.

Merseyrail

Due to planned industrial action by RMT members of Network Rail, timetables have been changed between Christmas Day and 27 December.

A 30-minute service was planned to run across the network on 26 December, but this is no longer possible following the industrial action announced by the RMT.   

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 at any point on December, 26 (Boxing Day) are advised to make alternative travel arrangements. 

Summary of services over the Christmas period:

  • Christmas Day - There are no trains running.
  • Boxing Day - There are no trains running.
  • Tuesday, December 27 - There will be a normal weekday service on 27 December with a slightly later start of approximately 07:30. This is due to Network Rail strike action. A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations prior to 07:00. 
  • New Year’s Eve -  Train services finish early, at approximately 20:00.
  • New Year's Day - A 30-minute Sunday service will run. 

Arriva

  • Christmas Day - No service.
  • Boxing Day - Special daytime services on some Merseyside routes operating from approximately 8am to 7pm.
  • Tuesday, December 27 - Sunday service.
  • Wednesday, December 28 - Friday, December 30 - Saturday service in all areas except for services in Wirral, Speke services 3/3A, 166, 188 and 204, and Kirkby service 899, which will all operate to normal weekday timetables.
  • New Year's Eve - Normal service until approximately 6pm when buses will begin to run in.
  • New Year's Day - Special daytime services on some Merseyside routes operating from approximately 8am to 7pm.

For information about timetables, visit https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/seasonal-bus-times/christmas-and-new-year. 

Stagecoach

  • Christmas Day - No service.
  • Boxing Day - Limited timetables will operate on services 1/X1, 10A, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 41/42, 53, 82, 86 & 471/472.
  • Tuesday, December 27 - Normal Sunday timetables.
  • Wednesday, December 28 - Friday, December 30 - Normal Monday - Friday timetables.
  • New Year's Eve- Normal Saturday timetables, All services will finish early evening from 6pm onwards.
  • New Year's Day - Limited timetables will operate on services 1/X1, 10A, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 41/42, 53, 82, 86 & 471/472.

For information about timetables, visit https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/merseyside-and-south-lancashire/christmas-and-new-year-services.