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Original poster

AIBU to be surprised that the trains don't run over Christmas?

380 replies

HeritageQuay · 22/12/2024 18:13

So I've been invited by friends to their Christmas lunch in central London. Having been on my own for the last few years, I was delighted to be invited and immediately accepted.

I live about 50 miles outside London and so travel by train is clearly the most sensible option. Accordingly I have been ordering presents etc. on Amazon for delivery to my hosts.

So today I tried to look up train times, only to find that there are no trains at all on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This came as complete surprise to me, is this a one-off or is it a regular thing?

Not quite sure how to get there now as the last thing I want to do is drive through London with all the issues re Congestion Charge / Ulez / Street parking etc., and in any case I wanted to enjoy a few drinks at Christmas!

How do other people travel at Christmas?

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 22/12/2024 19:29

LetThereBeLove · 22/12/2024 19:27

You're right. We personally don't but the majority (ATM) of British people do. HTH.

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Tons of people will be working on Christmas Day, I have done in the past. HTH.

LetThereBeLove · 22/12/2024 19:27

Moonfasa100 · 22/12/2024 19:18

Not everyone in the UK celebrates Christmas.

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You're right. We personally don't but the majority (ATM) of British people do. HTH.

Destiny123 · 22/12/2024 19:27

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 22/12/2024 18:48

Aren’t Uber doing freebies for NHS staff over Christmas?

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It's normally only £10 off your bill, and the codes all disappear in seconds. The last few areas I've worked uber doesn't run! So never yet benefitted despite working 8/10 xmases since I graduated

mondaytosunday · 22/12/2024 19:26

Son obviously!

oakleaffy · 22/12/2024 19:26

Whoarethoseguys · 22/12/2024 18:15

I have never known trains or buses to run on Christmas day. Train staff need to take time off too
People who travel either travel the day before or get a taxi.

Some people don't celebrate Christmas {Religious reasons} any more than we celebrate Eid or Thanksgiving or other Holidays..it's a real pain that public transport isn't running over Christmas for people who cannot drive for whatever reason.

I bet they just don't want to be paying employees triple time.

@HeritageQuay I totally agree with you- there are staff who would willingly work on Christmas Day /Boxing Day for double triple pay.

mondaytosunday · 22/12/2024 19:26

Sin was hoping to go to footie match in Southampton from London. I thought trains would run Boxing Day. Nope. Not sure what to do know - I don't fancy a five hour round trip driving him!

WannaWaffle · 22/12/2024 19:25

The Christmas period is when big multi-day works can be done e.g. station overhauls, bridge replacements, track relaying, while minimising commuter disruption. Very busy time for railway workers, not a nice time off with family.

biscuitsandbooks · 22/12/2024 19:25

I don't understand the issue - you drive? Just take the car and either don't drink or ask if you can crash on their couch.

Ghosttofu99 · 22/12/2024 19:24

The tube is running on Boxing Day you could drive to the closest underground station?

fiftiesmum · 22/12/2024 19:24

CellophaneFlower · 22/12/2024 19:22

Don't taxi drivers need time off too then?

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They are self employed so will work when the money is best and roads are quiet

Suzuki76 · 22/12/2024 19:23

25 years ago I was having to get a lift to my Saturday job on Boxing Day as there were no buses or trains so yes, this is normal and I do indeed drive if needs be.

fiftiesmum · 22/12/2024 19:23

Moonfasa100 · 22/12/2024 19:18

Not everyone in the UK celebrates Christmas.

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The Muslim/Hindu/Sikh people I work with are still celebrating but in a different way and enjoying time off and a nice meal with family - much the same as traditional British families but without loads of presents.

MagneticSquirrel · 22/12/2024 19:22

YABU trains have never run Christmas Day, and they often taper down to a Sunday/Bank holiday service a few days before!

Since Covid you are lucky to get a train on a Sunday and daytime non-commuter time train frequency is far worse!

And then you can’t rely on the trains anyway for big journeys, never know when they might decide to go on strike (again)!

CellophaneFlower · 22/12/2024 19:22

Whoarethoseguys · 22/12/2024 18:15

I have never known trains or buses to run on Christmas day. Train staff need to take time off too
People who travel either travel the day before or get a taxi.

Don't taxi drivers need time off too then?

Fink · 22/12/2024 19:22

BIossomtoes · 22/12/2024 18:30

This. The roads will be deserted.

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They really won't. I drive for work on Christmas Day. The roads are quieter than usual but nothing like deserted.

cannynotsay · 22/12/2024 19:21

Have you been living in a bubble, there's little to no public transport on Christmas Day!

AlexisP90 · 22/12/2024 19:20

soupfiend · 22/12/2024 19:16

So on the one hand the cry is 'the rail workers need to spend time with their families, how dare you expect this', on the other 'the railways need maintenance', erm by workers who wont be spending the day with their families

Hopefully the maintenance teams can get to work without a train eh?

My dad earned so much money on christmas day and was home by the time christmas lunch was on the table.

It wasn't ideal opening our presents without him but without him working that day we wouldn't have had anything.

This was sometime ago I have no idea what they pay now but back then it worked for our family and meant we had a good christmas

fiftiesmum · 22/12/2024 19:19

Someone upthread mentioned a and e - Christmas day itself is often quieter once all the Christmas eve drunks (falls fights etc) have been sent home

Iliketulips · 22/12/2024 19:19

Not great for those concerned, but I'd assume only people working in emergency services, tv, vets, UK's security and hospitality. I wouldn't be expect any trains and even taxi services to operate for me (unless they want to and can charge a good call out rate).

Moonfasa100 · 22/12/2024 19:18

LetThereBeLove · 22/12/2024 19:11

That's just you but other people do want that day with their families.

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Not everyone in the UK celebrates Christmas.

JenniferBooth · 22/12/2024 19:18

And yet they want people to give up their cars

BunfightBetty · 22/12/2024 19:18

Stay over and drive. It’s the easiest driving of the whole year through central London. The roads are really quiet and parking’s easy as lots of residents go out of town for Christmas and not many tourists drive in.

ManchesterLu · 22/12/2024 19:16

I understand them not running on Christmas Day, but would expect a limited service on Boxing Day, perhaps.

Where I live, some of the bus drivers work voluntarily to take people to hospitals to visit relatives.

soupfiend · 22/12/2024 19:16

So on the one hand the cry is 'the rail workers need to spend time with their families, how dare you expect this', on the other 'the railways need maintenance', erm by workers who wont be spending the day with their families

Hopefully the maintenance teams can get to work without a train eh?

HoppityBun · 22/12/2024 19:14

YABU because it’s like this literally every year. It’s an inconvenience but also it’s a good time to crack on with maintenance and repair work. There’s never a good time if you’re the one trying to travel but weekends and holidays are the obvious time to do work.