Staffing shortages have caused problems for TransPennine Express for several months. Due to a “severe” problem with the rostering system, the company today reported a high number of unanticipated cancellations and disruptions.
A train company that operates services throughout northern England and into Scotland has issued a “do not travel” advisory due to a “system fault” that is causing significant disruptions in its network.
TransPennine Express (TPE) reported a high number of unscheduled cancellations owing to a “major” rostering system failure.
The issue was caused by a software glitch that occurred overnight. The software was supposed to ensure that staff and trains are at the exact location and time to perform services.
It expects to cancel almost one-third of the 325 scheduled services for Wednesday.
TPE has acknowledged that this will have a significant impact on customers and issued an apology.
They have been instructed by the operator not to travel on TPE and to utilize other transportation.
TPE stated that it does not know when the issue will be repaired, and disruptions are anticipated to continue throughout the remainder of the week.
‘Government needs to step in’
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham tweeted: “This cannot continue. The government must intervene immediately.”
Louise Haigh MP, the shadow transport secretary for Labour, stated: “This catastrophe is causing incalculable harm, and politicians have disappeared.
“After twelve years in office, the Conservatives have left the north with deteriorating infrastructure and failed operators. The passengers have been taken advantage of for far too long.
“It is time for politicians to hold operators accountable for their abysmal performance and refusal to recruit and invest in the long-term future.”
Company representative Kathryn O’Brien stated: “Due to a large rostering system fault, we are experiencing a considerable number of unscheduled cancellations and network disruptions today.
We are aware that this may have a substantial impact on customers traveling with us today, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
She went on: “Together with our system supplier, we are working diligently to rectify the situation as soon as possible.
“We are doing everything possible to keep clients moving, but as long as problems persist, we advise consumers not to travel and to seek alternative modes of transportation.”
Liverpool-to-Edinburgh via Manchester and Liverpool-to-Glasgow are two of the company’s routes.
TPE, which is owned by FirstGroup, has experienced difficulties for several months due to personnel issues.
A mix of issues, such as high levels of train crew sickness and a training backlog, was previously cited by the operator as the cause of the lengthy interruption.
It has also been negatively impacted by workers refusing to perform unpaid overtime on rest days and infrastructure failures.
TPE employees who are members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport union (RMT) and Aslef are striking regularly in protracted disputes.
Anthony Smith, the chief executive of the watchdog Transport Focus, told the Transport Select Committee of the House of Commons earlier this month that “the industrial relations issues have been extremely corrosive and have weakened (TPE’s) ability to offer a dependable service.”
