Liverpool city region train operator Merseyrail reveals details of a ‘limited service’ running on Boxing Day and on other days over Christmas. Tony McDonough reports
Merseyrail services will be running every day over the festive period except for Christmas Day.
On Boxing Day the rail operator will be running a limited 30-minute service on both Wirral and Northern lines but some stations will not be served. Series will finish early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and there will be a Sunday service on New Year’s Day.
Boxing Day trains will starting at approximately 9am and finishing at around 6.30pm, calling at selected stations across the network.
This will help to support those making journeys on Boxing Day, including those heading to the races at Aintree, to the Boxing Day Sales or sporting events. Services will run every 30 minutes calling at the following stations:
- Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: Services will start and terminate at Hooton calling at Bromborough, Bebington, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, James St and Liverpool Central. There will be no services between Liverpool and Ellesmere Port, Chester and Hooton.
- New Brighton line: New Brighton, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.
- West Kirby line: West Kirby, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.
- Southport line: Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, Blundellsands & Crosby, Waterloo, Bootle Oriel Road, Sandhills, and Liverpool Central.
- Hunts Cross line: Liverpool South Parkway, St Michaels and Liverpool Central.
- Ormskirk line: Ormskirk, Maghull, Aintree, Orrell Park, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central.
- Headbolt Lane via Kirkby line: Headbolt Lane, Kirkby, Fazakerley, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central.
As has been the case in previous years, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will see services finish earlier than usual. On both days, from approximately 7pm, final services will run with trains reaching their final destination by 9.30pm.
Suzanne Grant, commercial director at Merseyrail, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer Boxing Day services this Christmas, as people across the Liverpool City Region prepare to enjoy the festive season.
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“Our stations and staff will also be getting into the Christmas spirit, helping to spread lots of Christmas cheer. So, if people are looking for inspiration for things to see and do on the lead up to Christmas, just have a look at the Christmas pages on the Merseyrail website at merseyrail.org/Christmas.
But do remember that as services are limited on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve they are likely to be busy. We would encourage customers to use the journey planner at Merseyrail.org, before they make their festive plans.”