WE’RE ready for you!

That’s the message to returning passengers from rail operator Northern, which runs services on the Airedale line.

The company says research has shown that 78 per cent of people in the region who would normally use the railways intend coming back to the train once Covid restrictions are fully lifted.

And Northern adds that everything is in place for people to return safely.

It has 600 cleaning staff working on trains and at stations with a particular focus on touch points – including tables, buttons and toilets.

Mark Powles, for the company, said: “We know that now more than ever, cleanliness is vitally important for our customers.

“We’ve invested in more cleaning staff than ever before and our enhanced regime is designed to protect customers and staff by reducing the potential risk of transmission.

“Our message to our customers is clear. Whether you are returning to rail for the first time since the start of the pandemic, have travelled with us recently but are returning to a commute, or are a key worker who has travelled with us consistently during the pandemic, you can travel with Northern with confidence.”

He added that during the past year the company had also carried out a range of improvements across the network, with enhancements made to trains, stations and ticket-buying methods.