Hull Trains’ MD develops strategy to support its recovery upon resumption of operations

Credit: Hull Trains

Louise Cheeseman, Managing Director of Hull Trains, has drawn up a strategy to build the business back up as the rail operator plans to resume services on 12 April 2021. 

The team is preparing to welcome passengers back onboard its Paragon trains as the open access operator prepares to relaunch a limited timetable. Hull Trains’ services were temporarily suspended for the third time on 9 January 2021 when the UK government announced another national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Louise said: “We are really pleased to be able to announce a return date and we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers safely on board from April. We are returning with a reduced timetable at this stage while we monitor customer demand and steadily build the business back up. Now that we have a roadmap out of lockdown, I’m really confident that more people will start to travel by rail again. It’s been a very challenging time for the industry and, as an open access operator, we have had to hibernate the business three times.”

“This has impacted on our workforce and, sadly, it was necessary to make 26 per cent of our colleagues redundant. We have had to make other challenging cost saving decisions to protect the long-term future of the business and safeguard as many roles as possible. The focus of the last 12 months has been on making sure that we have a strong foundation to return given that we will play a role in stabilising the region’s economy after the pandemic. I’m excited and hopeful about our return and want to thank our stakeholders and customers for their ongoing support. As soon as tickets are on sale for travel, we will be announcing this on our website,” she added.