Train passengers frustrated by emergency timetables will see “big improvements” in the next fortnight, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has pledged.

Hundreds of daily services were axed in December and January in the wake of staff shortages caused by the Omicron coronavirus variant.

It was estimated in early January that around 10% of rail staff were absent from work.

But despite cases of the virus falling, train timetables remain more than a fifth below pre-pandemic levels.

In an interview with the PA news agency, Mr Shapps revealed he is speaking to train operators “all the time” to ensure their timetables “come back up to spec”.

He said: “In the next couple of weeks we should start to see big improvements.

“Of course, we’re timing that alongside the fact that not everyone is back to work yet but we’re starting to see big increases in the number of people travelling.”

Latest provisional Department for Transport figures show the number of journeys made on Britain’s railways on Monday was at 51% of pre-pandemic levels.

Train operators say they introduced the emergency timetables to provide a more reliable service following weeks of widespread short-notice cancellations.

Mr Shapps was asked if the rail industry will need to make permanent cuts to its operations as taxpayer support which has kept services running during the virus crisis is reduced.

The Cabinet minister replied: “What I want to see is railways expand not shrink.

“I’m opening new lines to do that. There’s a very bright long-term future.

“Obviously, with regards to how much people travel and at what speed they return to work, we need to make sure the timetables match that.

“But our commitment to the railways, I think, is second to none.”