The UK has announced monthly disruptions to railway services: where and when trains will not operate.

According to The Sun: Network Rail warns passengers of possible delays during Christmas and New Year due to extensive works costing £130 million.

These disruptions will last for a month on key routes during the festive season when necessary work is scheduled.

Network Rail chief Helen Hamlin stated, “The period between Christmas and New Year is the quietest time on the rail network, and this moment is perfect for undertaking significant projects that require more time than one night or a weekend.”

“We are collaborating with train operators to arrange diversions and replacement buses for passengers, but it's advisable to plan travel in advance.”

She also added, “This year it is particularly important as we have major plans for upgrading the rail infrastructure, which may require people to travel home via different routes after Christmas.”

“Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding, and for planning your journeys in advance.”

Which cities will be affected?

The Yorkshire-Leeds line will be closed from December 25 to January 2 for essential modernization work on signaling, track, and electrification in the Church Fenton area, as part of a major upgrade project on the Trans-Pennine route.

After Christmas, trains will be diverted through Castleford for the next three weeks, resulting in extended travel times for passengers.

Companies Northern and TransPennine Express announced that passengers will be able to travel between York and Leeds “for most of this time” via an alternative route.

However, some trains will be replaced by buses, especially during the period between Christmas and New Year, so travelers are advised to check the schedule before departure.

Changes at Hanslope on the West Coast Main Line will result in no trains running between Milton Keynes and Rugby from Christmas to January 5.

Testing of a new signaling system, which will improve safety, will lead to no trains running between Cambridge Class, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, and Stansted Airport from Christmas to January 5.

Structural repairs in the tunnel near Bishopsgate and works to restore the roof of London Liverpool Street station will disrupt train services between Stratford and Liverpool Street from Christmas until the New Year.

Upgrading worn tracks and switches in the Queensway Road area, London, will lead to no trains to or from Waterloo from Christmas to December 28 and limited services to Waterloo until January 4.

The installation of a new railway bridge in Bowling in West Dumbartonshire will also lead to no trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich from December 24 to January 2.

The replacement of a 1960s bridge over the M6 motorway will result in no trains running between Preston and Carlisle from December 31 to January 15.

Delays in train services this Christmas

Travelers may face programmatic delays on major routes, warns Network Rail.

• No trains running between Milton Keynes and Rugby from Christmas to January 5.
• No trains running between Preston and Carlisle from December 31 to January 15.
• No trains running between Carlisle and Lockerbie from January 1 to January 7.
• No trains running between Leeds and York from Christmas to January 2.
• No trains running between Cambridge North, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, and Stansted Airport from Christmas to January 5.
• No trains running between Stratford and Liverpool Street from Christmas until the New Year.
• No trains to or from Waterloo from Christmas to December 28, with limited services to Waterloo until January 4.
• No trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich from December 24 to January 2.

Natasha Grice, Director of the independent oversight body Transport Focus, noted that passengers typically understand the need for maintenance but emphasized the importance of minimizing inconvenience.

“Passengers want to stay on the train if possible, to know in advance if part of their journey will be by bus, and to have staff available to assist,” she said. “Clear communication at all times is key.”

Daniel Mann, Operations Director at Rail Delivery Group, added, “We are doing our utmost to run as many services as possible and ask customers to treat our colleagues with respect during this busy time. Please allow extra time for travel between Christmas and New Year.”

Paying for tickets after boarding the train

Passengers can now travel on trains in the UK without purchasing tickets in advance.

The new app allows passengers to pay for tickets AFTER boarding the train.

Testing of the new technology will take place for passengers traveling on Northern services between Harrogate and Leeds, with potential expansion to other routes.

As part of the new trial, after boarding the train, passengers will be able to press a button in the app on their phone.

GPS technology will record the location, and then passengers must press 'end journey' in the app, reports BBC.

A few minutes later, the passenger will receive a message about the amount to pay for the journey, which will be charged at the end of the day.

If asked for a ticket on the train, the passenger can display the barcode in the app for scanning by inspectors.

It can also be shown at the exit on station barriers, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

Trial participants will receive £15 in free credit.

The trial will also be extended to routes between Sheffield and Doncaster from October 27, as well as between Sheffield and Barnsley from November 24.

A similar trial was also launched on some East Midlands Railway routes on September 1.

Transport Minister Lord Agnew stated, “We are updating the ticketing system, giving it a modern look. These trials will simplify the ticket purchasing process, making rail travel easier for people.”

“As part of our Reform Plan, we are ensuring seamless journeys by train across the North, supporting passengers and promoting economic development.”

Passengers can now pay for their ticket at the end of the trip, providing them with more convenience and flexibility during travel.