TfL: Tube and bus services for Christmas and New Year…

TfL: Tube and bus services for Christmas and New Year confirmed

Train services could be disrupted by staff shortages around the Christmas period, the rail minister has said.

Sir Peter Hendy spoke after several London hubs confirmed their plans for the festive weeks, which will see reduced services out of some of the busiest stations in the capital.

Transport for London (TfL) has already published its reduced Christmas and New Year timetables, which will see some disruption for a week-and-a-half.

"Christmas is a good time to do major engineering work, because the demand is lower over several days,” said Lord Hendy, who is a former chairman of Network Rail.

Parts of the Tube and Overground network will be on a reduced service because of planned works, and mainline services from Paddington and Liverpool Street are also affected. However, extra trains have been put on for New Year’s Eve.

In addition, the congestion charge will not operate from December 25 to January 1, while the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) will be in effect for all but Christmas Day.

Claire Mann, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said: “This festive period we are once again excited to help Londoners and visitors experience all the entertainment, culture, bars and restaurants and shops that the capital has to offer. TfL’s services are the best way to easily and safely get around the city.

“The majority of the transport network will continue to operate over the festive period, ensuring that all customers can travel across London in affordable and green ways. We ask that customers check before they travel as planned works are taking place.”

Which National Rail routes in and out of London will be affected over Christmas?

London Liverpool Street station will be closed from Christmas Day until New Year’s Day for engineering works. During the period of closure, Greater Anglia services, including Stansted Express, will terminate at Tottenham Hale. London Overground services will terminate at London Fields. Network Rail said: “Please use Victoria line services from Walthamstow Central and Seven Sisters or local bus services to complete your journeys during this closure.”

London Paddington will be closed between December 27-29 due to preparatory work for HS2's Old Oak Common station. It means the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express trains will be unable to run to Paddington. During the period, some Great Western Railway services will be diverted to Euston, but the majority will terminate at Reading or Ealing Broadway.