Transport for Wales have asked passengers to check before they travel after introducing an emergency rail timetable.

The temporarily amended timetable will come into effect tomorrow (December 22) and is to prepare for an expected rise in staff shortages due to the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

That in turn will ensure Transport for Wales can continue to provide a reliable service through this latest stage of the pandemic.

Transport for Wales and Network Rail have already seen an increase in staff shortages as more people are required to isolate as a precaution to combat the rise in the Omicron variant.

Whilst the company will continue to offer a significantly greater level of service compared to during the start of the pandemic in 2020, the new timetable will mean a marginal reduction in services.

It is designed to reduce late notice cancellations as much as possible, providing customers with more reliability.

Colin Lea, TfW planning and performance director said: “We are still very much dealing with a pandemic and have seen a major rise in colleague absences over the last few weeks.

"Since the beginning of December, the number of rail colleagues absent due to Covid-19 has doubled and this will continue to rise with the ongoing risk of the new Omicron variant.

“Wherever we can, we’ll use any additional carriages made available due to the reduced timetable to run longer trains than normal, to aid with social distancing and provide supplementary road transport, when possible.

“We appreciate this will be frustrating for some customers, and we have not taken this decision lightly. We ask that all customers check online before they travel and follow all advice from Welsh Government.

“I’d also like to thank all our colleagues who are continuing to work in difficult conditions.”

Passengers are advised to check www.tfw.wales before travelling and follow the up-to-date guidance from the Welsh Government.

Customers who have already purchased tickets for services affected by this change will be able to use their tickets on alternative TfW rail services. Alternatively, they will be able to request a refund by visiting www.tfw.wales.