Commuters to face misery as train services in England are to be cut due to pingdemic

Commuters across England face misery as thousands of train workers are off work and self-isolating due to the pingdemic.

The NHS Test and Trace app has told more than 600,000 people to self-isolate in the week to 14 July across England and Wales.

Thameslink and Southern are to reduce their timetables to try and improve reliability as there have been many cancellations and staff off work due to the pingdemic.

Both train operators have warned that further changes could be required at weekends also, whilst Avanti West Coast are also cutting trains on routes between London Euston and Manchester, North Wales and Birmingham from Monday.

A spokesman said this is to “manage staff shortages and ensure a reliable service”.

Steve White, chief operating officer at parent company Govia Thameslink Railway said, “Regrettably, we have had to make the difficult decision to reduce some weekday services.

“Unfortunately, like other industries across the country, coronavirus continues to affect our operations.

“We have fewer colleagues available at the moment due to a significant increase recently in the number of our people affected by Covid-19.”