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Trains are canceled as the major outbreak of the Covid-19 virus sweeps the railway company, raising fears of Christmas chaos for passengers
- One in four of Plymouth-based GWR train conductors due to work on Christmas is ill or self-isolating after a colleague tested positive for coronavirus
- Over 50 employees are out of action, but the number may increase as contacts are tracked
- Passengers will be transferred to alternative services when possible or coaches
Passengers are facing disruptions during Christmas due to a major coronavirus outbreak among rail personnel.
GWR said one in four Plymouth-based train drivers who were supposed to go to work over Christmas are ill or isolate themselves after coming into contact with a colleague who tested positive. In total, more than 50 employees are off duty: 10% of the staff based in Devon and Cornwall.
The company, whose routes include London Paddington to Cornwall, has already started making cancellations. Passengers are shifting to alternative services whenever possible, raising fears that they may be congested.
The bosses held crisis talks yesterday amid fears that the number of personnel missing over Christmas could spike further as more contacts are identified.
Sir Peter Hendy, the Christmas Transport Czar, said passengers making new reservations with GWR will be asked to use the coach services.
![Passengers are facing disruptions during Christmas due to a major coronavirus outbreak among rail personnel. GWR said one in four Plymouth-based train drivers who were supposed to go to work over Christmas are ill or isolate themselves after coming into contact with a colleague who tested positive. Over 50 employees are off duty overall - 10% of staff based in Devon and Cornwall [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/16/23/36937526-0-image-a-59_1608160165704.jpg)
Passengers are facing disruptions during Christmas due to a major coronavirus outbreak among rail personnel. GWR said one in four Plymouth-based train drivers who were supposed to go to work over Christmas is ill or self-isolating after coming into contact with a colleague who tested positive. Over 50 employees are off duty overall – 10% of staff based in Devon and Cornwall [File photo]
“Currently, GWR does not anticipate being able to run the service that they thought it would do,” he told deputies yesterday.
Consequently, if you try to book a ticket in advance for the west of England, I hope their website tells you to go National Express because they don’t really want to take any more advance reservations.
“That is a consequence of the transportation industry not having an unlimited supply of people. There will still be some trains, but they are right not to book people on trains that they don’t think have drivers. ”
Sir Peter urged Christmas travelers to book their tickets in advance and avoid long-distance travel.
![December 23 and December 27 are expected to be the busiest days for train travelers, with Boxing Day more moderate than in previous years. In the picture: Coronavirus notices at London Paddington station [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/16/23/36937620-0-image-a-60_1608160179677.jpg)
December 23 and December 27 are expected to be the busiest days for train travelers, with Boxing Day more moderate than in previous years. Pictured: Coronavirus warnings at London Paddington Station [File photo]
He downplayed predictions of chaos, stating that 80 percent of trips would be by road.
Long-distance operators, including Avanti and LNER, have run a large proportion of their trains by reservation only. However, smaller operators operating local services have not been able to introduce complex reservation systems.
It means that travelers who show up that day could be disappointed. It also increases the potential for congestion at the ticket offices.
December 23 and December 27 are expected to be the busiest days, with Boxing Day more moderate than in previous years.
