Published on: Tuesday, 2 March 2021
Last updated: Tuesday, 2 March 2021
Greater Anglia will have extra trains on weekday afternoons and more staff at stations when pupils go back to school and college on Monday 8 March.
The company will run more trains from 3pm on Monday 8 March so that students and school children can get home more quickly.
Greater Anglia will also deploy extra staff and managers at key stations close to schools and colleges, in the mornings and afternoons to make sure all passengers can travel safely, reminding them to use the entire length of trains and platforms.
The company is currently running a revised timetable, with off peak trains reduced to one every two hours on some routes.
Changes to the current Monday to Friday afternoon timetable will see an hourly service re-introduced from 3pm onwards during the week on the following services:
- 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
The current intercity and Stansted Express services will remain unchanged, with hourly services between Norwich and London and Liverpool Street all week and two or three trains an hour on the Stansted Express route Monday to Fridays.
Passengers are reminded to check before they travel using the Greater Anglia website or app where revised timetables are available.
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."
Greater Anglia has published a blog on its website with useful tips on how to travel safely for students and children returning to school.