The operator will initially offer a limited timetable, running two return services Monday - Saturday, and three return services on Sundays. On weekdays trains will operate from Beverley at 07.53, and Hull at 15.08, returning from Kings Cross to Hull at 11.48 and to Beverley at 18.48. Weekend services will operate to and from Hull.
Ticket sales are set to resume by the end of the week.
“I am so thrilled to announce a return date for Hull Trains as the numbers of people using rail services has started to increase across the country," says Ms Louise Cheesman, Hull Trains managing director. “By relaunching services in August, we are giving families and friends an opportunity to spend some quality time together.”
Hull Trains will introduce additional cleaning measures onboard its trains with a dedicated cleaning team on every service. The operator says socially-distanced seats will also be clearly labelled and all passengers will be required to wear a face covering. No onboard catering will be available.
Hull Trains, which is owned by First Group, was the first British operator to cancel all services in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The operator said at the time that despite operating a reduced timetable, a fall in ticket revenues following government advice for people to avoid all non-essential travel meant it was not financially viable to continue operating.
Before the pandemic, Hull Trains operated six train pairs per day on weekdays, with five of the services commencing from Hull and the sixth from Beverley.
“We will continue to review the numbers of people travelling and will introduce more services as demand increases,” Cheesman says.
