Train passengers reacted with fury to the drastically reduced Merseyrail services introduced this week to cope with an "unexpected" mechanical issue affecting its trains.
The operator announced over the weekend that passengers would face limited services and rail replacements, starting on Monday (June 6). Merseyrail said this was due to an "unexpected" increase in wear on trains' wheel bearings.
Some services would also be cancelled on the West Kirby, and Chester/ Ellesmere Port lines, with a limited rail replacement bus service running on the Kirkby and New Brighton lines.
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Customers today took to social media to share their experiences of travelling on Merseyrail services following the announcement. One said: "So, this is planned, but you didn't think to make all Ormskirk trains six-car to cope with the Kirkby passengers. Absolutely packed this morning. Not safe."
While another said: "Normally between 8 and 9am between Birkenhead Park and Liverpool there are eight trains, this week just two with the same amount of passengers. Yesterday the trains arrived were three cars - how is this acceptable and safe to customers just trying to get to work?"
And another said: "So, when I'm late, (because) of the trains, or lack of, are you gonna pay my wages?"
Passengers have been waiting for a 52-strong fleet of state-of-the-art new trains to begin operation, which has been hit by numerous delays. Merseyrail say that testing is now taking place ahead of them being approved for service. The phased introduction is due to begin later this year and continue into 2023.
Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail said: "We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience the current disruption is causing for our passengers.
"During the last two weeks we have seen an unexpected and significant increase in wheel bearing faults which has affected the number of trains we have available. This type of fault is rare on our network and as a result we inspected our full fleet. This has led to further affected trains being taken out of service for repair.
"Whilst the wheel bearings on affected trains are replaced, emergency changes are being made to our timetables to prevent unplanned disruption and to maintain a reliable service. Our teams are working hard to ensure that passengers travelling on affected lines can do so by rail replacement bus and full information is available on our website and social media channels."
Full information on the service disruption can be found at Merseyrail's website here.
