Extra trains in Essex to help with return to school
Greater Anglia are putting on additional services for the school run
Last updated 5th Mar 2021
Greater Anglia's confirmed it'll be introducing extra train services on its network on from Monday 8th March to help students get home from school and college more quickly.
The extra services will run on weekdays from 3pm.
Additional staff and managers will also be deployed to key stations near schools and colleges in the mornings and afternoons to make sure all passengers are travelling safely.
Traveller's will be reminded to use the entire length of the platform and trains, and wear a face covering.
The train company is currently running a revised timetable, with off peak reduced to once every two hours on some routes.
Hourly services will be re-introduced Monday to Fridays from 3pm on the following routes:
Between Norwich and Cambridge, Lowestoft, Sheringham and Great Yarmouth
Between Ipswich and Cambridge, Felixstowe and Lowestoft
Marks Tey - Sudbury
Wickford - Southminster
Colchester - Walton-on-the-Naze
Manningtree - Harwich
Greater Anglia says the current intercity and Stansted Express services will remain unchanged, with hourly services between Norwich and Liverpool Street all week, and two or three trains an hour on the Stansted Express route Monday to Fridays.
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: "We're constantly monitoring passenger numbers to make sure we put on the right number of trains and that they're the right length for people to socially distance.
"Passenger numbers are still very low, but obviously with all schools and colleges going back on Monday 8 March, we anticipate more people travelling.
"I'd like to reassure all passengers that we're doing everything we can to keep them safe - from cleaning and sanitising trains and stations, to making it easier to socially distance at stations.
"So if you are catching our trains for legally permissible reasons, you can travel with confidence.
"Please remember to wear a face covering - over your mouth and nose - for all of your journey - including at the station, unless you're exempt."