TRAIN passengers planning to travel at Christmas are being advised to book tickets as soon as possible.

TransPennine Express (TPE), which runs services through Malton, is asking people using its services between December 23 and 27 to book ahead online, check before and allow extra time to travel as services are set to be busier than they have been in recent times.

It plans to run about 80 per cent of its pre-Covid-19 services following the timetable change taking place on December 14. Many trains will run with additional carriages to support social distancing; however, trains are likely to be busy, especially those before and after the Christmas bubble period.

Customers will also be able to book a seat reservation (that is compliant with social distancing) when these are reintroduced from December 14.

Liz Collins, interim managing director for TransPennine Express, said: “We are asking those planning on using our trains to see friends and family over Christmas to book as soon as possible, check before travelling, allow extra time and follow the guidelines provided when making their journey.

“Our team is working tremendously hard to ensure that services are safe and secure, but we all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and others, by wearing a face covering and regularly washing hands, or using sanitiser.

“We will also have additional members of staff out and about at key locations over Christmas to provide a little extra support to anyone that needs it.”

As usual, TPE services will finish earlier on Christmas Eve and there won’t be any running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Services will restart on December 27, albeit with a slightly later start.

For more information, go to tpexpress.co.uk