There will be no Merseyrail trains running on the network on Boxing Day as well as further disruption to services over the Christmas period.
Due to planned industrial action by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union, Merseyrail has had to make changes to its timetables running between December 24 and 27.
The train operator had planned to run a 30-minute service across the network on December 26, but said this is no longer possible following the latest round of industrial action announced by the RMT.
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This also means that the last trains on Christmas Eve will now finish earlier than originally planned. Final services will run at approximately 4.30pm on December 24.
Merseyrail said 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.
There will be no rail replacement buses in operation during the strike action. Those needing to travel after 4.30pm on the December 24 or at any point on December 26 are advised to make alternative travel arrangements. As previously announced, there will be no train services on Christmas Day.
There will be a normal weekday service on December 27, with trains starting when the industrial action ends, at approximately 7.30am. A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations prior to 7.30am.
As is usually the case on New Year’s Eve, services will finish at approximately 8pm and on New Year’s Day a 30-minute Sunday service will run.
Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of station staff.
Further industrial action is planned for January 3 and 4, and also on January 7 and 8. Details on what services Merseyrail will be providing on these dates will be published as soon as they are available.
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