- Manchester’s annual Christmas markets mean busier trains for CrossCountry customers.
- Rail passengers travelling to and from the seasonal markets should check their journey and avoid the last train home where possible.
- Revellers are reminded that a no-tolerance approach to fare evasion and anti-social behaviour is in place across the rail network.
Train operator CrossCountry is giving some advice to Manchester city centre visitors as the seasonal markets begin this week.
Manchester’s Christmas Markets, running from Friday 8 November until Sunday 22 December, bring thousands of festive revellers into the city centre and mean busier trains than usual – especially later in the evenings.
Though as much capacity will be provided as possible, later services from Manchester Piccadilly will be extremely busy - passengers shouldn’t rely on the last train home and plan their journey well in advance.
Steve Hopkinson, CrossCountry’s Service Delivery Director, said: “We know the markets are very popular and mean busier trains. We don’t want to leave any customers on the platform and encourage anyone visiting the markets to plan ahead and not rely on finding a seat on the last train home.
“I’d remind passengers that our colleagues are working hard to get customers where they need to be. We have a zero-tolerance approach towards any anti-social behaviour directed at our employees and will work with the police to prosecute to the full extent of the law.”
Away from the festivities, Christmas markets can also lead to an unacceptable increase in antisocial behaviour and harassment of onboard colleagues.
The four weeks before Christmas 2023 saw Public Order Offences, including instances of anti-social behaviour on CrossCountry colleagues, increase by 14.3% on the previous year.
Margaret Edge, Manchester Piccadilly’s station delivery manager, said: “Christmas is a special time at Manchester Piccadilly, and we love being a part of the festivities as people travel through the station to celebrate or do their Christmas shopping.
“However, our priority is to keep everyone safe. If you are not able to travel safely, you will not be welcome at the station. Disruptive and dangerous behaviour, after a few too many mulled wines, puts yourself, other passengers, and our colleagues at risk. Please, be considerate of others when travelling by train this Christmas.
“We have extra staff on hand this year to help keep you safely on the move.”
Engineering work over the Christmas period will also mean changes to journeys later in the year.
For more detail on journeys and to check before travelling, customers can use the CrossCountry app or visit the National Rail Enquiries website.
Contact Information
CrossCountry Press Office
[email protected]About CrossCountry
CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator, with a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff and calling at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 240 services every weekday, equating to over 42 million passenger journeys each year.
For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via X @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced adjustments to its timetable from 14 December, as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable review.
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- Services on Sunday 24 August are also likely to be subject to cancellations across all CrossCountry routes
- Passengers are advised not to travel on Saturday 23 August and to travel on either side of the Bank Holiday weekend, or claim a full refund
