Coronavirus: Grand Central suspends rail services after lockdown
Grand CentralA train firm has suspended all its services because of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
Grand Central, which connects London's King's Cross with Yorkshire and the north east, ran its last trains earlier.
The firm said it had been running a reduced timetable "in order to keep key workers moving".
But it came with the costs of running a service "while bringing no ticket revenue".
"This situation is unsustainable and, following several days of discussion with the Department for Transport (DfT), we have no alternative but to suspend our services," managing director Richard McClean said.
"People who absolutely need to travel, in line with government restrictions, can use their Grand Central ticket to travel on other train companies' services."
A Department for Transport spokesman said that in line with its support for all businesses it would work with the firm to "return to the network" when the lockdown was lifted.
"Grand Central has decided to suspend services and hibernate the company to protect their financial viability during this time of reduced passenger numbers," he added.
- A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?
- AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
- LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
- MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak
- VIDEO: The 20-second hand wash
- STRESS: How to look after your mental health
On Sunday, Hull Trains said it had axed all its services because of the "unprecedented circumstances" created by the coronavirus pandemic.
The firm said passenger numbers had "dropped significantly" since the government lockdown came into force.
Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].