THE biggest train operator in the Bradford district is warning of further disruption this Sunday as it faces a reduction in train crew staff making themselves available to work.
Northern says services will be subject to "very short notice cancellations" on Sunday, which is the day of England's Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The company would not be drawn on whether or not the big football match had put further pressure on staff availability, but stated that "Sundays rely on crews volunteering to work additional hours."
Northern is currently grappling with several factors, including higher levels of staff sickness.
The wider impact of ongoing industrial relations is also thought to be playing a part on the willingness of staff to volunteer for Sunday shifts.
On the Sunday when England played their opening match of the Euros, Bradford was hit by a series of train cancellations, with both Forster Square and the Interchange impacted.
This Sunday, the Leeds to Chester service via Bradford Interchange will only run between Leeds and Manchester Victoria, and there will be no Northern train services running between Manchester and Chester on that day.
While it is still hard to predict how many other Bradford services will be affected by staff shortages, Northern has already taken the decision to axe this Sunday's services on various routes in the north-west.
These include the Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe service, Preston to Colne, Manchester Piccadilly to Stoke on Trent, and Wigan North Western to Stalybridge. There will also be no replacement buses on these routes.
The Telegraph & Argus asked Northern if the football cup final is the main reason for pressure on services this Sunday or if there other factors at play, such as engineering works or fleet problems.
A spokesperson for Northern responded to say: “We are very actively managing higher levels of staff sickness, and on Sundays, which rely on crews volunteering to work additional hours, we have seen a reduction in train crew making themselves available on parts of the network.
"In addition, the ongoing industrial relations issues have their own impact. We are working hard with our colleagues and other train operators to improve service reliability.”
When pressed about the level of delays or cancellations expected in Yorkshire, the spokesperson added: "Disruption that we’re expecting is largely contained to the North West – the Leeds to Chester service, which goes via Bradford Interchange, is impacted though (in that it will terminate at Manchester Victoria.
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