Rail bosses will add 'relief trains' to help curb the impact of a reduced rail timetable between Manchester and London.
In a letter addressed to Mayor Andy Burnham and Coun. Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, West Coast Partnership CEO Steve Montgomery outlined the changes, are expected to come into force from Friday (September 16).
The improvements will see four additional charter trains run between the cities per day in an attempt to provide extra capacity. These will initially be run as 'relief trains', but will be integrated into the timetable at a later date.
It comes after Mayor Andy Burnham queried the 'quality and availability' of Avanti services running between Manchester and the capital.
In his letter, Mr Montgomery outlines the extra services already announced to help cope with 'exceptional' demand on weekdays this week, before highlighting the new charter services sue to start on Friday.
He also said he he will be updating Mayor Burnham and Coun. Craig on wider plans to restore the timetable and increase the number of services running between the cities 'shortly'.
"Initially these will be ‘relief trains’, helping to spread customer demand, but as we continue to analyse booking patterns we will move them into the timetable where they are most needed and customers will be able to buy tickets directly for them," he wrote.
He also confirmed that tickets are now available for Saturday September 17, saying the delay was due to pressures in creating a timetable quickly following the RMT's announcement to cancel their scheduled strike action this weekend out of respect.
"I would like to reassure you both that we have a detailed plan for ensuring there are enough staff on hand to help passengers over the coming days," the letter reads.
"We understand that many travellers will not be regular train‐users and we are prepared for that with directors and other HQ staff helping at key locations. Our partners at Network Rail have also drafted in additional help."
Yesterday, Avanti West Coast announced they would be putting on 'up to eight additional services a day' on weekdays this week to cope with demand ahead of the Queen's funeral - a total of 16,000 extra seats.
READ NEXT:
