After numerous Merseyrail trains were interrupted by wheel-bearing issues, rail services on the Kirkby and New Brighton lines will resume on Monday.
This week, bus substitutes have been in operation after 28 trains were disrupted, causing quarter-hourly services to be canceled.
The wear on train wheel bearings has increased “unexpectedly,” according to Merseyrail.
Andy Heath, the managing director, apologized “really, genuinely.”
He stated the trains were “categorically” safe in a video and thanked the public for their patience.
He added the damage was “very rare” for Merseyrail’s fleet and only happened approximately twice a month on average, but “many” incidences had been discovered in the previous few weeks, prompting a thorough fleet examination.
Merseyrail said the interruption had impacted travellers, with revised timetables due in the near future.
On the Ormskirk, Kirkby, Hunts Cross, New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester, and Ellesmere Port lines, a reduced-capacity service will operate every 30 minutes, according to the operator.
Between Southport and Liverpool Central, trains will operate every 15 minutes.
“We understand that the further modifications to our timeline that we’re announcing will cause difficulty and delay for individuals in the city region, and for that we are truly, truly sorry,” Mr Heath said.
“As soon as feasible, we will resume our regular, dependable 15-minute schedule.”
Mr Heath stated that train replacement buses will be “scheduled to minimize passenger waiting times” beginning next week, and urged commuters to leave extra time for their travels.
“While we hope that these challenges are temporary, their nature means that we can’t tell how long the adjustments will be in place at this time,” he said.
“Merseyrail are contracted to provide a service, and at this time they can’t,” said Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram.
An inquiry into the causes of the flaws has been undertaken.
